Page 11 of And Then There Was Us
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Happens all the time.”
“It does? That’s not a good thing, Bree.” He didn’t even know her well, but at that moment, Hugh wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and hug away the fear she was trying so hard to hide.
She wiped her hands on her towel. “It’s really not a big deal. He just got carried away.”
“Bree.” Mack appeared beside Hugh. “You okay?”
“Fine, Mack. Thanks.” Her eyes darted to Hugh, then back to Mack.
“You sure? I can take care of…” Mack glared at Hugh. “Anything you need me to.”
Hugh smiled at the burly man and extended his hand. “Hugh Braden. Nice to meet you.”
“Braden? I know that name.” Mack shook Hugh’s hand.
Uh oh.How could he slip up like that? “You’ve probably heard of my brother, Josh. He’s a big-time fashion designer. His name is in all the fashion magazines.” Hugh had to push the conversation in another direction before Mack exposed him. “I’m not here to harass Brianna. I was just making sure the guy didn’t hurt her.”
Mack nodded, still scrutinizing him like he was unraveling a mystery. “Bree?”
“He’s fine, Mack.” She went back to work cleaning up the bar.
“Braden, huh? I’ll figure it out.” Mack headed toward the back of the bar.
Brianna stopped wiping the counter and folded her arms over her chest. “Thank you for asking if I was okay. But why are you here? You didn’t finish your drink and you didn’t watch the game. Should I be creeped out?”
Hugh leaned on the bar and answered honestly. “I’m not sure. Maybe.” He shrugged. “I was drawn to you yesterday, and I thought I’d come in and talk with you tonight. So you tell me. Creepy?”
She looked down and blushed. “Sort of.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I guess it sort of is, but how else does a guy get to know a woman around here? Do you want to have coffee with me after you’re off work?” He saw her flinch. “Listen, no pressure. I was just offering.”
Her eyebrows drew together, and she glanced at Kat as she approached.
“What’s going on?” Kat asked. “Way to nail that creep. What a jerk, grabbing you like that.” Kat looked between Brianna and Hugh. “Am I interrupting something here?”
Brianna lifted her eyes at Hugh.Man, her eyes killed him.
“Okay,” Brianna said softly.
“Okay?”Yes!
“Okay what?” Kat asked.
“Coffee. I’m having coffee with Hugh after work.”
“You are?” Kat lifted her thin brows. “That’s great. Where are you going?”
Hugh shrugged. “Wherever Bree wants.”
“What about Layla?” Kat asked.
Worry sailed through her eyes. “She’s with my mom for the night.”
“Perfect,” Kat said; then she looked at Hugh.
With your mom? She’s got a kid. Crap. She has a kid.Hugh loved children, but he hadn’t ever considered dating a woman with a child. He must have looked as concerned as he felt because Kat elbowed Brianna and nodded in his direction.
