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Donna took one step back and crossed her arms over her chest, ready to wait for the two men to separate before getting back to business.
David's gaze darted to Everly's before slipping back to Blake. When David didn't retaliate, she knew the discussion was over.
Blake turned on his heel and kept a firm grip on her hand. "Come on. Let's go."
She followed him back into the crowd, snaking their way toward the exit. "Our bill."
"I took care of it," Blake shouted over his shoulder.
On that note, their business here was done, and she wanted to be anywhere but here. Every other face was turned toward her and Blake as they moved. They'd caught a lot of attention arguing in the mouth of the hallway.
That familiar unease settled on her shoulders, and desperation clawed at her lungs. She ducked her head and let Blake lead her toward the door.
Outside, the brisk night air hit her like a stone wall. She looked over her shoulders once on their way to the truck to make sure David wasn't following them. So far, they were in the clear.
At his truck, Blake opened the passenger door for her and waited while she climbed in and settled in the seat. When he closed the door, the silence sucked the last remnants of peace from her chest. Her ragged breaths were too loud, and the hushed night had panic bubbling in her throat.
Blake got in and started the truck. The rumble of the diesel engine drowned out the quieter noises that had her on edge.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "Did he hurt you?"
"No. Just bothered me." She brushed her hands over her slicked back hair, willing the strays to settle. "He has to know I don't want to talk to him. I told him to stop calling weeks ago, but he hasn't tried to get in touch with me since you and I made things official. I'm sorry I didn't tell him about us sooner."
Blake reached for her hand, locating it quickly in the dark cab. "I'm not upset about that. I'm angry that he didn't respect you. Again." Blake lifted her hand to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "It won't happen again. Not while I'm around."
"I'm not worried about that. I don't want him to cause problems for us. I'm sorry about all of this."
"It's not your fault, Ev."
"Did you ever think I'd have so much baggage?" she playfully asked.
Blake chuckled. "You're always in the middle of some drama. I knew I'd eventually have to defend your honor by waging a duel for your heart."
Everly laughed, feeling the tension of their encounter with David evaporate. She wouldn't let him steal her happiness with Blake.
When their laughter settled, an uncomfortable silence fell over the cab.
"What's wrong?" Everly asked, feeling the impending bad news she'd come to expect when David was concerned.
“I think you should talk to Ridge," Blake said.
"About what?"
"He may be able to shed some light on David's persistence."
"Ridge? Again? Why does he seem to be attached to bad news?"
Blake turned on the road that led to his and Ridge's house. "I don't know the details or I would tell you. He only mentioned it to me a few weeks ago, and I thought it might line up with what David has been doing lately. Calling you and all."
Everly rested back against the seat. "Let's get this over with."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Blake
Everly jumped out of the truck before he'd come to a complete stop in the garage. Slamming the door behind her, she didn't wait for him to follow her. "Everly, wait."
She stopped with her hand on the doorknob and turned to him. Her blonde ponytail whipped around her, but the scowl on her face had him stopping in his tracks.
