“Yep. You guys make the best cheese sandwiches.”
I know it’s a little juvenile but it’s my favorite thing on this earth. My mom made them for me all the time. We’d sit and munch them and watch tv, laughing, on rare nights when she didn’t have to work. I treasure those memories.
My heart jerks and I fight the sting of tears. I cannot cry over grilled cheese! I’ll never live that down.
She walks away and before I can blink, Byron is standing in front of me and grinning. “I had a feeling you’d end up here tonight. Seems like the perfect time to talk about that date.”
He slides into the other side of the table and I groan silently, wanting to slam my head off the table.
I’m not sure grilled cheese is even worth this.
l settle into the booth and fight the urge to run.
“You look really pretty tonight, Harp.”
“It’s Harper.”
He pauses but then he laughs…loudly. “You’re so funny.”
I’m not sure how funny I am. Cause I am not laughing right now.
He reaches out and grabs my hand, ignoring when I pull at my hand and tightening his fingers until I wince.
“Let’s talk, Harper.” His dark eyes go blank. Like a shark. Or a psycho.
My belly lurches and for the first time in a long time, a frisson of fear crawls up my spine.
CHAPTER 8
Darius
Iwalk in the door of the diner and like a heat-seeking missile my gaze locks on my girl.
But then my eyes narrow and anger curls up my belly and runs up my throat like lava, choking me.
She’s sitting with a man. Or a boy. He’s probably a year or so younger than us. But I guess that most women would call him good-looking. He’s got golden hair and bright blue eyes. Like an angel.
My spine stiffens when I notice how straight her back is. How she’s tugging at her fingers and the asshole across from her is holding on so tight it’s a wonder that he’s not breaking her fingers.
Rage roars in me and I stalk across the floor, my eyes locked on my prey like he’s my next meal.
“I’m telling you, Byron. I don’t date. I’ve got too much to do with my classes and work. I don’t have time to date.”
“Come on, Harp,” he whines. “You know that you want to go out with me. Why fight it?”
“Because the lady doesn’t want to go out with you and you’re being a raging dick right now.” I reach across and jerk at his hand until he drops her hand. “Are you alright, angel?”
“Who the fuck are you?” he hisses, nursing his aching fingers. I hope I broke one of them.
“I’m her best friend. And I can tell when she wants to talk to someone or sit with someone. You ain’t that guy.”
“And you think you are?” he huffs.
“I think I’m more welcome than you are. Maybe you should move your sorry ass before I kick it.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” he hisses.
“Do you have memory problems? I just told you.” I slide into the booth with Harper. I glance over at her and reach out to touch her narrow shoulder. “You alright?”
