Page 37 of One Hotlanta Night
“Can you do the pokey stick for me? I don’t wanna,” she says petulantly and he indulges her with a smile.
“Of course, sweet girl. Anytime.” He takes out her glucometer and lancet, along with a napkin. She barely flinches at all when Derrick sticks her pinky, and I swear she’s trying to be brave just for him as he blots her finger. We all hold our breath while waiting for the meter to finish, and when it registers 71, everyone exhales.
“Okay, honey, you can definitely eat now,” Claire tells Raelynn as she situates her in her lap so she can eat comfortably. “But make sure you blow on it first!”
Raelynn pauses, holding the fork in front of her, mouth wide open. “But, Mommy, it doesn’t feel hot,” she says.
Derrick steps closer to Claire, telling her softly, “I chilled it in the walk-in for a minute. She can dig right in.”
Claire’s eyes widen and she blinks a couple times. “That’s… that was really thoughtful of you, Derrick.”
He runs his hand through his hair sheepishly. “I just want to make sure you’re—she’s—taken care of.” His look of longing is so intense and at this point Claire must be willfully ignoring it because no one could mistake the expression of love on his face. She must be blind though, as she releases a huge breath and fixes her face in a smile.
“You’re really good to have around. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that.”
Derrick’s face is inscrutable as she says the words, and I wonder if he’s hurt by them. “I’d do anything for you, Claire,” he says quietly, eyes focused only on her. Yep, he’s totally in, hook, line, and sinker.
Claire stills, but then seems to shake herself out of it. “How’s your food, honey?” Raelynn looks up with a sticky yellow mouth and gives a thumbs-up. Claire strokes her hair as she smiles ather daughter, while Derrick keeps watch over both of them, his face unreadable, before heading back to the kitchen.
“What’s the deal there?” Michael asks softly in my ear, and I shiver at how close he’s standing. It really should bother me, how he’s all up in my space… but it really doesn’t. It’s comforting, and I don’t overthink it, for once.
“There isn’t,” I say quietly. He wraps his arm around me again and pulls me ever so slightly into his side. The heat of his body feels so good and I finally begin to relax.
“Well, if there’s not, there should be.” His lips press a kiss to my temple, and I allow myself to sink into his touch. It’s just a kiss, and it’s just a side hug, and it shouldn’t feel as good as it does… but itdoes. Somehow he’s dismantling my walls one touch, one word at a time. And after the day I’ve had, I’m helpless to resist.
Claire glances over at us, Raelynn happily demolishing the rest of her food. “So you’re Michael.” She looks him over and I recognize that assessing stare. Nothing but the best produce for her restaurant and, apparently, nothing but the best guy for me. Nodding her head toward the dining room, she asks, “Why don’t y’all go sit and order something on the house?”
“Claire, you don’t have to do that. I’m not on shift.” The Pork Belly isn’t doing well enough to do favors and comp meals all the time. We’ve talked about this. Hell, we’ve gotten drunk crying over this. Things haven’t been great for months now, and we haven’t come up with any good solutions. Of course Claire doesn’t want to lose her family’s legacy, but banks and the electric company don’t care a whole hill of beans about that. But she shakes her head, her shoulders resolute.
“Vivian, if you don’t get your sassy little b-u-t-t over there and sit down—”
“Mommy, you said BUTT!” Raelynn shouts, and Michael stifles a laugh with his fist. He turns it into a cough, eyes dancing my way.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s on the naughty list.” I roll my eyes at him. Up close, I notice glimmers of gold shining in his mirthful glint.
“Naughty list?” he mouths, a smile quirking at his lips.
“I’ll explain later,” I whisper, and his eyes drop to my lips. I swallow. We’re not just talking about Raelynn’s spelling abilities anymore.
“I can’t wait,” he says, tracing my jaw with a finger. I’m no stranger to guys putting the moves on me, but this feels different. Maybe because I actually want it so much. I lean into the heat of his touch, relishing his rough skin and commanding demeanor, before remembering that we are indeed in the presence of my best friendanddaughterandco-workers. It’s not yet five o’clock so it’s not too busy yet, but the bar will be filling up soon. And the last thing I need is my colleagues—or worse, regulars—seeing me get all hot and bothered by a man I’ve just met.Never mind that it feels like I’ve known him forever.
Clearing my throat, I straighten my shoulders and Michael drops his hand to thread his fingers through mine. Claire’s eyes dance between us, her face telling me she didn’t miss a thing. “Table 23 is good. And private,” she insists with a wink. “I’ll ask Derrick to—”
“Y’ello?” The man in question returns, stepping behind the bar carrying two huge cases of beer like it weighs nothing at all. He always seems to know exactly when Claire needs something. Jumping in to help Raelynn proves just how in tune he is to both their needs. “Viv, your regular?” I nod, resigned to letting Claire spoil me. Derrick looks over at Michael.
“Make it two.”
Derrick nods, sets the beer down, and starts to make our drinks.
Michael leans closer, his breath tickling my cheek. “What did I just order?” I can hear the smile in his tone.
“An old-fashioned,” I tell him, smirking.
“Whew.” He pretends to wipe sweat off his brow. “I thought it might be Jagermeister or something.”
“No way!” I laugh, elbowing him in the ribs. “We don’t carry tequila, so this is my next best choice. Surely you don’t thinkthatpoorly of me.”
He chuckles and folds his arms across my front, pinning me against his muscular chest. Resting his chin on my shoulder, he whispers, “Actually, I think you’re pretty damn wonderful.” His lips lightly brush my skin and I melt.This man.His touch lights me up as much as it comforts me. It feels incredibly intimate, but he doesn’t take it any further, just rests his head against mine. Like he doesn’t need anything more than to be with me.
