Page 90 of Forbid It

I don’t reply, instead unsubtly checking my watch.

He takes the hint. “Well, it was great to meet you bro. I’m sure we’ll see each other around soon.”

“Sure, bro.”

He leaves with a hard tap on my shoulder.

I turn back to the bar and gesture for the bartender to refill my drink.

A hand touches my elbow. “Robbie.”

Anya’s hair is pinned in a delicate twist at the back of her head and her red dress sits high on her neck. I’m expecting a friendly smile but instead I’m greeted by a worried frown that I haven’t seen on her before.

“Hey Anya,” I say. “Everything okay?”

“Robbie,” Anya repeats, her voice low and eyes wide. “Who were you just talking to?”

I grimace. “Guy called Callum. I think he’s Pip’s boyfriend?” Bit of a giant prick, too.

Her eyes widen, and her freckled cheeks turn pale. “Oh my god, I thought it was him.” She turns to scan the room, playing with a lock of her hair. “Where did he go? Have you seen Pip? Oh god, Danny’s talking to Jackson over there. If he sees him, it will not end well.”

Alarm bells started ringing as soon as Anya’s cheeks whitened, but her rambling has got all my senses on alert. “What’s going on?”

Anya glances around the room. “Callum is Pip’s ex-boyfriend. What the hell is he doing here? Last time any of us saw him he got into a huge fight with Danny, and he almost got fired.” She spins back to me. “I’m going to go find my husband before Callum does. Have you seen Pip?”

“I think she went out back with Cassie.” I leave my half-drunk whiskey on the bar top. “I’ll get them.”

Anya doesn’t wait to say goodbye, the top of her head barely visible as she weaves through the crowd.

I tug my phone out of my pocket and send Cassie a quick text.

No reply. I press through the people around the bar until I reach the door leading to the patio. The cool chill in the air has driven the partygoers inside, and the deck is empty.

I jog down the stairs onto the grass yard at the bottom, the setting sun making my eyes strain as I try to find Cassie.

It’s only a feminine yelp that has me jumping back up the stairs two at a time.

I turn the corner and find them. Cassie is in front of Pip, her arms wide like a mama bear protecting her cub. The fury on her face would be hot if it was directed at me, not at the broad back of the man who is quickly becoming my least favorite person in the world.

“Say that again, asshole,” Cassie snaps. “I dare you.”

She hasn’t spotted me, but I see Pip’s worried glance flick towards me.

“Phillipa, come on, don’t be ridiculous,” Callum says, placing his hands on his hips. His voice is forced casual, but I can see his shoulders tighten from here. He’s making himself bigger, flexing his strength in the face of two small women in a shadowy corner outside a nightclub.

I clench my fists at my side as I take a step forward. “What’s going on here?” I say, making my voice boom. Cassie jerks at the sound of my voice, and I spot the wave of relief in her shoulders. I wink at her before turning my attention to Callum.

He straightens his shirt, puffing out his chest as he greets me like we’re old friends. “Hey bro.” If this man calls me ‘bro’ one more time, I swear to God. “Just trying to talk to my girlfriend.”

“Not your girlfriend,” Pip says, her voice shaking but she stands up straighter. Cassie’s hand rubs along her shoulder.

“I think you should leave, bro.” I take another step forward until I’m between this asshole and Cassie.

“Look.” He turns to me, dropping his voice. “You know what these ladies are like. I just want to get my girl home and in an outfit that’s not showing the whole party my goods, y’know.”

“No, I don’t know.” I say, my voice icy. “Let me get this straight. You’ve gatecrashed a party that I’m sure you were not invited to, cornered your ex-girlfriend and mine, and then said that shite where we can all hear you?”

“Look bro⁠—”