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“I promise,” I add, stepping forward and snuggling back into his warm embrace. I’m thankful when he cuddles me back, and I feel his shoulders drop—an inch.
“Where are Mary and Hunter?” I ask after calming down my racing pulse.
His chest rumbles as he replies, “I asked Hunter to take her to the bar as she was seconds away from murdering that punk. And that motherfucker was mine.”
Pulling out of his arms, I latch onto his muscled forearm as I’m afraid he’ll go back out there and give him more than an earful.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have drunk so much. It’s my fault.” Feelings of shame overwhelm me, and I lower my gaze to the floor, embarrassed.
“Hey.” He places his finger under my chin, coaxing me to look at him. “Some asshole pawing you against your will isn’t your fault.”
I nod, mewling when he strokes his thumb over my lower lip.
“But while we’re on the subject of drinking, did something happen? I mean, you hardly drink. Is everything okay?” His intelligent gaze scans every plane of my face; it appears he’s trying to decode a secret I’m not privy to.
“Yes, everything is okay.”Well, apart from my vivid imagination dreaming up every possible scenario to explain your detachment, I silently add.
“Okay. As long as you’re sure.” He seems relieved by my response.
He guides me into a booth, making sure to keep his arm around me. As I’m looking around for Mary, Dixon randomly asks, “So you didn’t talk to anyone today, did you?”
I raise a confused brow as I turn to look at him.
“You know. Your mom? Or maybe Juliet?” he clarifies. Her name passing through his lips is like a sharp dagger piercing my side.
Why is he asking about her? And more importantly, why would it matter if I had spoken to her? “No, I haven’t spoken to either. Why?”
His shoulders instantly depress. “No reason.”
When I continue staring at him, he explains, “I just know how much you loathe her, and I wondered if she was the cause ofyour need to drink, dance, and dress”—his eyes blaze as he scans down my body—“so boldly.”
His heated gaze pushes thoughts of Beth aside. He has me feeling even more exposed than I already feel. “Do you like my dress?” I ask, hoping my nerves don’t betray me.
When he tilts his head to the side and slowly traces his upper lip with his tongue, my nerves are swiftly replaced with the need to kiss him until I can no longer breathe. Sadly, all daydreams are put on hold.
“Do you realize how stupid yousound when you open your mouth?” snaps Mary as she charges into the booth.
I look up to see Hunter trailing behind,a mischievous smile on his face. “You could always open your mouth then. I’ve got just the thing to fill it with wisdom.”
Dixon raises his eyes to the ceiling while Mary scoffs, “Not in this lifetime, you disgusting pig.”
The corner of Dixon’s mouth curves in humor when he hears her response. “Good to see you two getting along so famously,”he teases, while I can’t help but smile.
“Don’t be so quick to tease, Doc. I should be chewing your ass out, seeing as you left me alone with this pervert,” Mary warns, her tone revealing he’s next in line for her wrath.
I burst out laughing when Dixon quickly cups his privates.
“Oookay, how about we get something to drink?” I suggest, still chuckling as I loop my arm around Mary’s shoulder.
Mary nods eagerly. “Anything to erase the past five minutes of my life sounds good to me.” She launches out of the booth and stomps in the direction of the bar. In the process, she nudges a smirking Hunter out of the way.
With nothing but worship in his eyes, he declares, “I think she likes me.” He then looks over his shoulder, playfullybiting his knuckle.
I can’t help but grin at his humor.
“I think you’re sorely mistaken, my friend,” Dixon rebukes, shaking his head as we exit the booth.
We all head for the bar, and I’m surprised to see Hunter dart ahead, desperate to catch up to Mary.
