Page 8 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer
She sighed. “Okay.”
Ashlyn and I had a lot in common. In person, I was outgoing and fun, but I used my personality as a shield. Inside, I struggled with being a plus-size woman. She had nothing but confidence. Ashlyn loved her curvy body and had created a business to show curvy girls that they were beautiful no matter their size. I hated that I wasn’t as comfortable in my own skin.
I sipped my drink and glanced at the end of the bar, relieved to see those guys were gone.
“I’m sorry, Harper,” Ashlyn apologized.
“It’s cool. You’re just trying to help. I get it.” I gave her a small smile to show her I wasn’t upset with her.
She smiled back. “The band is starting any minute. We should go grab a spot on the floor before it gets too crowded.”
I nodded and downed the remainder of my drink.
Ashlyn finished hers and stood just as the music started. Triton was the best undiscovered local band. I’d gone to school with one of the guys, and they typically played cover songs. The dance floor was already crowded, and I didn’t want to shove my way through it for a space I barely fit in.
I slid off my stool and grabbed Stella’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Startled, she tipped her empty glass over on the bar, only pausing for a second to grab her purse and sling it over her arm. “Fiddlesticks. Hold your horses,” she grumbled at me while she righted her glass before following me. I laughed. Stella rarely cursed and always said the cutest things.
The three of us moved to the edge of the floor. The music began, immediately washing over me, filling me with joy. I loved live music. Music and dancing helped take me away to another world. The beat moved through me, dictating how I swayed and shifted my hips. Triton’s guitarist riffed a solo as the band sang about a toxic relationship giving love a bad name.
The floor was definitely crowded. We’d gotten through four songs when I felt a body brush up against my back. Instinctively, I leaned my chest forward and shifted out of the way before lifting my long hair off my neck to cool myself down. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and I longed for a rush of cool air.
A finger ran down the side of my neck. I yelped and spun around to face whoever had touched me.
What the hell?
My body grew cold. It was the guy from the bar that had tried to catch my attention. I wasn’t interested in him before, but after that move, he really didn’t have a shot now. His beard was wild, and I couldn't help but compare it to the neat trim of Kade’s earlier today. This guy’s whole look was more disheveled now that he was closer. His muscled body boxed me in, and his lip curled into a predatory smile. Why did he think leering at me was the way to go?
“Don’t touch me,” I snarled at him.
“Oh, you’re spirited. I love that in a woman. I’m Shane.” He gave me another once-over. “For a bigger girl, you sure can move.”
My hands curled into fists and my nose wrinkled as his alcohol-laden breath wafted over me. Shane was more of a jerk than I’d given him credit for.
His body edged another step toward me, a slight wobble to his stance. One more, and his chest would touch mine. I took a step back, but he stopped me by throwing his arm around my waist and pulling my hips in tight. Before I could protest, his lips smashed against mine.
My palms flew up to flatten against his chest, and I shoved him. It broke the kiss, but his face was still far too close. He hadn’t loosened his grip on me either.
He growled, “What’s your problem?”
“My problem is that I don’twantyour attention. Get your hands off of me. Now.”
“Why? I don’t see a man with you.”
Are you fucking kidding me?
Shane seriously thought another guy was the only reason to back off? Well, then I’d have to get one. This bar was frequented by people I’d gone to school with. My gaze jumped around the room. There had to be someone I knew who would help.
My eyes landed on the one person I never expected to see.Kade. The guy who saved me this afternoon. He was wearing a pair of worn jeans and another ball cap, this one blue, that matched the button-down shirt he was wearing.
I sent him a pleading look, praying he saw my desperation. He’d tried to help me once today. I hoped he would do it again.
Kade tilted his head and frowned.
Shit.He didn’t understand the signals I was sending. I threw my hand out in a wild waving motion, urging him closer, but he still hesitated
Ashlyn’s voice rose above my panic, threatening the guy to leave me alone, and Stella yelled that she was getting security.
