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Danica’s hand was wrapped tightly in mine as we stepped into the dark bar. Conversation seemed to stop, and it felt like every head turned toward us–toward me. She shuffled closer and I let go of her hand to wrap it around her waist, anchoring her to my side.
David walked toward us, a smile on his face. “You made it!” He pulled Danica into a hug that I felt lingered too long, so I pulled her back to my side. She gave me a look, one that made me wink at her.
“The others are at the table already,” he said, throwing his thumb over his shoulder. Danica hadn’t brought a gift, which was weird. The whole point of her going out with Sadie was so they could buy a gift.
We walked through the bar, my arm wrapped tightly around Danica. I ignored everyone’s too-long glances and hoped she was doing the same.
“Boss is joining us,” David said as he slid onto a barstool. Sadie and Candice were sitting together. She smiled shyly, and I felt Danica press herself tighter to my side.
When I glanced down at her, her face was stony as she stared at Candice.
Jealous little thing.
“Can’t believe you came out,” Sadie said, and I turned my attention to her.
“Danica told me I had to,” I said, shrugging. “I can’t say no to her.” Danica’s shoulders bunched as everyone looked at her.
“You could’ve stayed home,” she muttered, her face red under the dim lighting. Sadie cleared her throat, sensing the growing tension.
“Dani, this is my wife, Candice,” she said, throwing her arm around the blonde woman.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Danica said, forcing a smile. She held her hand out and Candice softly laughed as she took it and gave it a gentle shake.
“Sit,” Sadie laughed. “Stop being so weird.” My smile fell as I glared at Sadie, but Danica rolled her eyes, huffing out a laugh as she slid onto the stool beside David’s.
“So.” Candice drew the word out, her eyes darting between us as I sat. I slid the small gift bag onto the table next to the others. “Are you two…”
“Together?” I finished for her, and she nodded. “Yes.” Her eyes slid back to Danica, who was always quiet, but I felt like she was being too quiet tonight.
“How long have you been married?” Danica asked, her face pleasant but something in it I couldn’t place.
“Only two years,” Sadie said. “It would be closer to five if she would’ve agreed to marry me when she was in college.” She rolled her eyes with mock annoyance.
“Excuse me for wanting an education before becoming a married woman,” Candice said, playfully swatting at her.
“What did you go to school for?” Danica asked.
“Art history,” she said. “Enough about us.” She grinned. “What about you?” I glanced at her, then looked past her, finding David staring.
“I’ll go get us drinks,” I said suddenly. “David, you wanna help?” His eyes lifted to mine, and whatever he saw on my face made him sit straighter.
“Sure,” he said. I pressed a kiss to the top of Danica’s head before turning toward the bar, expecting David to follow.
When I got to it, I leaned my forearms on it and shifted my head to look down at him. He was closer to Danica’s age. He was only twenty-eight, only four years older, not twenty, like me. She was mine, though, and I didn’t like the way he looked at her.
“Sadie said to just get a bottle of red wine,” he said, and I nodded.
“You know Danica is mine, right?” He blinked at me. “You know not to touch another man’s girl, right?” His mouth fell open, his eyes widening.
“I–I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just–”
“I know what you were just doing,” I said, turning toward him. “Look, you’re a good kid and I appreciate everything you do, but don’t mistake my appreciation for leniency.” He blinked again, at a loss for words. “You can be her friend, I’m not saying you can’t, but you don’t need to touch her. Understand?” He nodded before he could stop himself.
“Of course,” he said. “Yes. It’s not like that. I–I have a date coming–”
“Good,” I said with a smile. “If you have a girl, there’s no need to look at mine.” He nodded again. His expression should’ve made me feel bad for scaring the kid, but it didn’t.
Maybe it made me a caveman to let everyone know Danica was mine, but I didn’t care. She was mine. I wouldn’t feel bad for claiming her publicly. I wanted everyone to know exactly who she belonged to, and I wouldn’t look the other way and let them touch her, or flirt with her, even if they were just joking.
