Stetson drew back, taking my body with him. “Don’t ever let a man shrink you down. You’re too bright not to shine. Got it?”
His compliment ran through me like a bolt of lightning.
I nodded, finding it impossible to verbally respond.
“Let’s go,” he said, pulling me from the bathroom door as he clasped my hand in his.
“Oh. Well, isn’t this interesting…” Delilah’s voice halted both of us. “You’re gettin’ pretty good at keeping secrets, aren’t you Scarlett?”
My instinct was to release my hand from his, but as if he’d read my mind, he squeezed tighter and pulled my body behind his.
I didn’t know what got in to me, but within a second, I had put myself next to him, still using his hand as a source of confidence, preparing myself to give Delilah a piece of my mind.
“Don’t start, Delilah. I’ve got enough shit on my plate to deal with; I don’t need to be worried about you too. I know it’s hard for you to comprehend how a guy like Stetson would choose a girl like me, but he did. So yes, for the first time in your life, you’re not going to get exactly what you want, but like the rest of us, you’re going to have to deal with it and move on,” I said, stepping back toward the crowd of people and pulling Stetson behind me.
I glanced back as we were nearing the main part of the bar. Stetson’s lips were parted just enough for me to watch as he dragged his tongue across them, leaving a seductive smile behind.
Holy shit.
We rounded the corner and my brand-new abundance of confidence made it hard not to grin.
The main part of the room had emptied, with everyone migrating to the dance floor. Booker and Maggie were still perched at the bar, their gazes lingering in our direction, but they hadn’t spotted us quite yet.
The anticipation was so thrilling that I couldn’t even focus on anyone else.
Our bodies swayed together, moving closer to where they were sitting. Maggie’s eyes eventually landed on mine, immediately widening. The slouch in her shoulders straightened in a matter of seconds and the smile on her face was so big I thought it might slide right off.
Stetson took a seat in the same barstool he’d previously sat in, next to Booker, not even acknowledging the statement we’d just made. “Anyone want a shot?”
Maggie’s mouth was practically on the floor. “Um, sure.”
Booker and I both shook our heads before Stetson caught the attention of the bartender.
I looked at Maggie, silently confirming to her that she had in fact just witnessed what she’d thought.
“Here you go, Maggie.”
“Thank you!”
Stetson placed his beer bottle down on a cardboard coaster, turning his attention back to the group. I stood a few inches from him, a little hesitant, but in a matter of seconds, he’d pulled me into the empty space between his legs until my butt rested on his thigh.
It was like he knew that was exactly where I wanted to be. My belly overflowed with satisfaction, like I’d just eaten the best meal of my life and now it was time to lie down.
Until the meal was ruined.
“Stetson, man, I’m a big fan.” The familiar, now annoyingly scratchy voice that belonged to Zane came from behind me.
Stetson’s eyes darkened until the icy blue resembled more of a navy. I stared down, grateful for the way I’d been resting in Stetson’s lap. My position allowed me to stay unrecognizable as my back was aimed in Zane’s direction.
Stetson grit his teeth. “Thanks, man.” He took his beer to his lips, the brown bottle doing a great job of hiding his stormy facial expression.
“Oh, holy shit. Hi, Maggie. I didn’t even see you there.”
“Hello, Zane.” Maggie was much less successful at disguising her true feelings. Although, I wasn’t sure she was even trying. “Surprised to see you back in Quincey Falls. I assumed we’d never get the pleasure to see you again in our little town.”
I pulled the sweet but potent drink to my lips, forcing me to keep my mouth shut.
Stetson’s eyes were still glued to Zane. He hadn’t taken them off of him since he walked over.
