Page 22 of Say I Do

My tie felt tighterthan usual. Being in the spotlight had never troubled me until today. I bounced my foot up and down as we approached the restaurant. There was already a line of people on the sidewalk, reporters bunched around the entrance, waiting. I swallowed back the bile that rose up my throat.

“When we get out of this car, be on your best behavior,” I said as I turned to look at Harlow. He looked green. “What’s your problem?”

“Nothing,” he hissed as he wrung out his hands. “And don’t tell me what to do.”

“Right now, I’m telling you not to screw this up,” I snapped. “This is serious. You mess anything up or embarrass me, and I’ll—”

“Kill me?” he muttered as his eyes roamed the crowd. “Please do.”

I watched as he chewed on his bottom lip.Seriously, he’s nervous?Harlow’s family had been in the spotlight back in Japan the same way mine was frequently splashed across the headlines in the States. Yet he hadn’t stopped fidgeting since we rounded the corner.

“Is this too difficult for you to do?”

His eyes snapped to mine. “I’m not some wilting flower that needs protecting. Keep your captain save a hoe attitude bullshit to yourself.”

I threw up my hands as we pulled to a stop. “Whatever.”

Talking to Harlow made me want to slam my head into a brick wall. Repeatedly. Tony hopped out and opened the door. I pulled myself out before I smiled at the cameras briefly and gave a poised wave. When I turned back to Harlow, I held out my hand. He stared at it like it was diseased.

“Keep up appearances, dear,” I said through gritted teeth. “You wouldn’t want to ruin this deal, would you?”

Harlow’s eye twitched. His mouth opened. I waited for a barrage of bullshit, but instead, he snapped his mouth shut, closed his eyes, and took in a deep breath. When he opened them again, it was as if someone else had slipped into his body. A small smile played on his lips, but it had none of the mischievous malice that it so often held when it was directed at me. Harlow slipped his hand into mine.

I helped him out of the car, and the cameras went crazy. Voices joined together in a barrage, but I simply smiled and pushed through them with Harlow’s hand firmly clasped in mine. As soon as we were inside and led to our table, Harlow pulled his hand away and wiped it on his blazer.

“Don’t get too friendly, dear,” he said with that same smile on his lips.

“How could I? You clearly prefer when a man treats you like shit.” I smiled right back as I pulled out his chair. “Here you go.”

Harlow sat down, and I scooted him in. “You have no idea how true you are. I love it. Not when it’s with you, though, because you’re a walking, talking ass—”

“Good afternoon. Welcome to Sapori. Can I start you two off with a drink?”

I sat down. “Yes, we’ll both have water.”

“Actually.” Harlow raised a finger. He batted his long, dark lashes at the waiter. “I’ll have something big, bold, and red, please. Whatever’s the best thing you’d recommend.”

The waiter chuckled. “I’d be happy to bring you something spectacular.”

I snapped my fingers as the man lingered. “That’s all for now. We’ll order shortly.”

The man’s cheeks tinged with red. He laid a couple of menus on the table and gave that generic customer service smile, but there was unease in his eyes.

“Take your time. I’ll be back in a little while.”

I stared at him every step of the way. Anger laced up my spine as I watched him. He turned back, looked at me, and walked away even faster.

Yeah. Run, little man. Run.

“Why are you terrorizing that man?” Harlow asked.

I glanced at Harlow. “I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

“Figure out what you want to order.”

He sighed. “This whole bossing me around thing is beyond old.”

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