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“I’m okay,” I say quietly. “How’s work?”
“Busy as ever.” She smiles across the table.
Kitty continues to talk about her job, and I’m thankful the attention isn’t on me.
The restaurant is busy, and despite our food taking a while to arrive, the conversation is finally flowing. I’ve relaxed a little, and by the time the waitress places my salmon in front of me, I find I’m enjoying myself. Watching Kitty and Nick, it’s easy to see how besotted Nick is with Kitty. He constantly finds a reason to touch her and whisper things in her ear. It’s sweet, and I’m happy for her.
“Are you guys up for a drink and some dancing after here?” Nick asks as the waitress clears our plates. His arm slips around Kitty’s shoulders, and he leans in to kiss her cheek. “There’s a great bar not far from here with live music.” I look across at Sawyer, and he smiles.
“Sure, why not?” I say. “Sounds like fun.”
After settling the check, we head across the sidewalk to the bar. Sawyer places his hand on the bottom of my back as we follow Kitty and Nick. A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck, and nerves swirl in my stomach as we join the line for the security check. Sawyer is standing close behind me, and as if reading my mind, his hand moves from my back to my waist, where he squeezes gently.
“Breathe, Hallie. It’ll be fine,” he whispers, his breath hot on my neck. Closing my eyes, I try to enjoy the feeling of his hands on my waist. When I open them again, Kitty’s purse is being checked, and she and Nick disappear through an archway that leads into the bar. I shuffle forward toward the burly security guard. Handing my purse over, I drop my eyes to the floor as he searches it. When he’s done, he hands it back, his eyes going to Sawyer, who stands behind me.
Sawyer pulls something from his pocket and passes it to the security guard, who looks it over before glancing at him again. A few seconds pass, and I literally hold my breath, only exhaling as he finally nods, passing the piece of paper back to him. I stand rooted to the spot until Sawyer takes my hand and tugs me through the entrance.
Stopping, I turn to face him. Going up on my tiptoes, I shout in his ear, “Is that it? He just let you in with a gun?”
He laughs. “Yeah, he did. You might not want to shout too loud about me having a gun, though.” I clasp my hand over my mouth, my eyes wide. He laughs again and removes my hand from my mouth. “I’m joking. It’s that loud in here I barely heard you.” He looks around. “It is busy though, Hallie, so I want you to stay close. If you need the bathroom, I’m coming with you.”
“What? You can’t come with me. It’s the girls’ bathroom,” I state incredulously. “Kitty will think we’re up to God knows what.”
He leans in close, his lips half an inch from my ear. “I don’t care what Kitty thinks. I’m here to protect you, and I plan on doing exactly that.” His voice is low, and his hot breath on my skin makes me shiver. “Let’s get you a drink.” His hand is still in mine, and I let him guide me across the packed room toward the bar where Nick and Kitty are waiting.
Ten minutes later, we find a table on the edge of the dance floor. Across from where Sawyer and I are sitting, Kitty is making out with Nick. It’s a little awkward, and I glance at Sawyer. “Do you think we should go and leave them to it? I feel like we’re intruding.” I pull a face, and he laughs.
“I think they’re coming up for air.” He gestures with his head across the table, and I follow his gaze.
“Do you want to dance, Hal?” Kitty asks when she’s finally stopped kissing Nick.
“Umm…” I discreetly slide my eyes to Sawyer, thinking back to his comment about staying close. When he slightly nods, I smile at Kitty. “Sure.” Jumping down off the barstool, I place my purse on the table.
“Stay close, ladies. It’s busy tonight,” Sawyer says.
“Sure thing, Mr. Marine,” Kitty replies, taking my hand and pulling me the short distance to the dance floor. Laughing, I look over my shoulder to see both Sawyer and Nick watching us.
“Those two look smitten,” Kitty yells in my ear as she begins to move her body to the music.
“What? Nick for sure. Sawyer definitely not. We’re just friends.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Hal.” I shake my head, and she giggles. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you turned up at the restaurant. I saw your little moment on the way into the bar too. Looked like he was getting pretty close.”
“Whatever.” I wave off her comments. Little does she know he’s paid to stay close to me and watch my every move. “We’re just friends.”
“Yeah, you said that already.” I ignore her and lose myself in the music, my arms above my head as I close my eyes and imagine my life hasn’t gone to shit the past few days. We dance to a couple more songs before Nick slides in next to Kitty, his arms circling her waist.
“I’ll leave you two to dance,” I shout to them. Kitty looks past me and raises her eyebrows.
“I think someone is coming over to dance with you.” She’s smirking, and I turn my head. Sawyer is walking toward me.
“I was heading back,” I yell as he reaches me.
“How about one dance? I brought your purse.” I take it from his outstretched hand and nod. The band is playing Shawn Mendes’ “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” and I move closer so I’m dancing next to him. It feels weird but in a good way. I’ve never danced with a guy before. Even though we’re not dancing like Nick and Kitty—bodies pressed together and arms looped around one another—it still feels good. I frown to myself. It’s not like I want to dance with Sawyer like that. Do I? I mean, he’s hot. Really hot. What’s not to like? He can’t seemethat way though—I’m a client—a fucked-up client he needs to protect. Despite knowing this, it doesn’t stop my stomach from tightening as I think how hot he is.
“You okay?” Sawyer shouts as he moves toward me. Before I can answer, the song ends, and the band goes straight into Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.” I stand there like an idiot as the first few words of the song are being belted out. Couples all around us begin to slow dance, and I move uncomfortably from foot to foot. I’m about to make my way back to the table when Sawyer slips his arms around my waist and gently pulls me against him. Although I’m caught off guard, my arms automatically wind around his neck, and I rest my head on his chest. He smells incredible, and with my ear pressed against him, I can feel the pounding of his heart through his shirt. We sway gently to the music, and I can’t help but think my first slow dance couldn’t have been better.
As the song comes to an end, I go to drop my arms from around his neck when he squeezes my waist. “One more song?” he whispers in my ear. Surprised, I lift my head and nod when my eyes meet his. He smiles and pulls me even closer. My heart’s racing, and I know if I’m this close to him, there’s no doubt he can feel the effect he’s having on me. I’ve no idea what song we’re dancing to because I’m too caught up in how it feels to be in his arms.
