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And I was trapped in his stare.
I needed to get away, now more than ever.
Johnny jerked suddenly. His gaze dipped to the table then over to Dare, releasing me.
I let out a shuddering breath and shrank into the chair, trying to ward off the lingering bone-deep chill as I fought the urge to run, and tried to come up with a reason to leave.
After a few seconds, Johnny straightened and started grabbing food, his cold eyes only glossing over me when he asked, “What’d you say your name was?”
His voice matched the rest of him. Cold and hard and unforgiving. A shudder had started from deep within me, but stopped, and I froze when I realized he’d been talking to me.
I thought back over his words, and tried not to panic when my mind blanked. “I didn’t,” I finally said, my words soft but bold.
Everyone stopped moving.
Johnny’s cold glare was back, but the rest of the table had mixed expressions of surprise and amusement.
I didn’t look at Dare, but after a few tense seconds, a low, dark laugh left him. “This girl just might give you a run for your money, Johnny.” His eyes slid to mine, and a devastating smile pulled at his lips. “I’ve never met anyone who’s as untrusting as this guy right here. But you might have him beat.”
My head shook quickly. “I’m sorry, I just . . .” I trailed off, not knowing how to explain.
I have to go.
And like I was drawn, I looked behind me, then all around us.
Nothing. No one.
Dare was studying me when I finished, and leaned forward until his face was just a breath from mine.
I knew I needed to lean away, but I couldn’t move.
Those chocolate eyes held mine, and a hint of something warm and spicy that clung to him made me want to lean closer.
“Are you waiting for someone?” he asked low enough that his voice wouldn’t carry to the others, who had gone back to eating and talking.
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve been looking around ever since I first saw you backing away from Ethan. Are you waiting for someone?”
“I’m not. I—”
“Do I need to be worried about a boyfriend showing up?”
If only you knew that was exactly what you needed to be worried about.
I sat there with my lips parted for a few seconds before I repeated my earlier words, “I need to go.”
From the way his brows drew together and he leaned away a bit, he’d expected a different answer. “So I should take that as a yes?”
“Please—”
“No one’s keeping you here.” His once warm eyes were now as cold as Johnny’s. “If you really want to go, then go.”
Without another word, he went back to eating and effortlessly joined into the conversation Johnny was having with Einstein.
I studied his strong profile for only a moment, committing it—and the way he made me feel—to memory, before I slipped out of my seat and turned to go.
I hurried through the crowded street fair, but tried to force myself not to walk too fast . . . not to draw attention to myself. All the while my eyes never stopped moving—never stopped looking for anyone who might be looking for me.
