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“I know that.” His gaze meets mine. “That’s not what I mean. It’s not that I think you can’t take care of yourself.” He leans closer, and I eagerly soak in his heat while inhaling his familiar scent. His closeness makes me dizzy. “It’s that I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
“I–” A car door slams shut, and I jump back, putting distance between us as my heart races in my chest. We haven’t discussed when we’re letting people know we’re together, and now, we’re almost caught in the act without a plan.
“We should go inside before someone starts looking for us.” He drops his hand and steps back, his eyes hooded from me. “That’s the last thing we need.”
“Yeah.” I nod and follow behind him into the bar, slightly hurt by the abrupt shift in conversation. Does he not like that he feels this way about me? Is it too much? Too soon? Something he doesn’t want at all?
He leads the way toward the table where my family is seated. “Look who I found when I was outside.” He waves his hand toward me and shifts his attention to Ledger, who tips his beer toward me and nods.
Within seconds, their heads are together as they laugh and chat about something, Ledger slaps him on the upper arm, and then Cole disappears into the crowd without a backward glance.
My mom rushes over to me and wraps me in her arms. “Hello, dear. I’m so glad you’re here.”
I blink back tears as I search for Cole over her shoulder. He’s weaving his way through the crowd on his way to the bar, leaving me with my family and friends. What in the hell?
Let it go. This is not the time or place to have this conversation.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Her eyes narrow as she holds my shoulders and studies me. “How’s everything back in San Francisco? I saw those ridiculous stories about you. They’re all over the place.”
“I’m fine. There’s nothing to it. Just fake news sites trying to use my boss to gain views and promote their websites.” I cringe as several of the people seated closest to us turn and listen to our conversation.
“I didn’t question for one second if any of it was true.” She braces her hands on her hips and glares at Ledger and Austin, who’re whispering to each other across the table.
“Well, I did.” Connor hovers behind me like a hulking giant. Where did he come from?
I spin to face him and mimic the pose my mother had already used. Like mother, like daughter. “Of course you did. Why wouldn’t you think the worst? That I was dating my boss to get money out of him. That’s par for the course.”
“No….” His cheeks redden. “Okay, fine.” He steps back and leads me away from the table. Not that they aren’t still trying hear what he’s going to say. It’s a small town. What can you do? “I did worry for a second that it was true, but not for long. Cole snapped at me, and I got my head out of my ass.” His eyes darken as he tips his head sideways. “I’m worried about you. I don’t want you to get hurt, and those predators can be vicious when they want a story. And I have no idea what to do to help get them off your back.”
“Thank you.” When did Connor turn into a superhero? “I appreciate it. I do. Just knowing that the people who care about me have my back is enough. I don’t need you to do anything else. It’ll blow over.”
“I hope so.” He gives me an awkward hug, and my head spins again. Cole stomping off upset about something, and now, Connor is on my side without being begged by my parents to be nice. What is the world coming to?
“Harbor, did you see the photos of you and Cole? Layla sent me one.” Mom fans herself. “I thought I was having a hot flash.”
Oh, shut the front door. Everyone at the table turns and stares. And then shift their attention behind me. I glance over my shoulder to find Cole, who looks like he wants to crawl under the table and die.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cole
I should have stayed at the bar and avoided this entire night. It’s bad enough that Harbor still wants to keep our relationship or whatever this is a secret. But now, I’ve got to defend myself to Connor when he sees the photos. And everyone else. Heat crawls up my neck and over my cheeks as everyone continues to stare at us.
“I’m sure they aren’t that….” I trail off, and Harbor’s head whips around until I’m pierced by her blue eyes. What was I going to say? That the photos aren’t that good? Fuck, that implies she’s not sexy as fuck. That the images aren’t that good? Ditto on that reasoning. I’m fucked either way.
“Seriously?” Alice’s eyes narrow into slits. “You’re going to insult my daughter and not say she looked phenomenal?”
“Umm….” I cough and step back while raising my hands in the air. “That’s not what I was going to say. I was going to say I didn’t look that good.”
“Please.” She rolls her eyes and swipes the screen open. “It’s ridiculous that you two look so good together. I mean, I’m the mom, and I’m not supposed to see two kids I consider my own, one who is and one who’s been a part of our family since day one, as people who have sex. God save me from the thought….” She closes her eyes and says the last as a prayer, and then reopens them. “But these photos are stunning.” She shoves the phone in front of the group at the table. Their eyes widen so big I’m ready to bolt.
“Holy balls…,” Ledger says while turning his head sideways, furrowing his brow, and blinking.
“Let me see.” Connor yanks the phone out of his mom’s hands and goes completely still. Seconds pass with no movement, when I start to fear he’s going to pass out. He swallows hard over his Adam’s apple and meets my gaze. “Holy balls is right.” There’s a mixture of anger and some other emotion swirling in his eyes as he stares me down.
“Connor.” Harbor grabs his arm and holds him steady. “It’s a picture. It doesn’t mean anything.” She smiles at him weakly. “I mean, you knew I was doing the photo shoot, and you were happy Cole was taking one for the team. So don’t get angry because we look good in the photos. Layla is an amazing photographer. I’m sure she used the heck out of filters to remove the cellulite on my ass and thighs. And then there’s my belly roll.”
