AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And all I can do is pray it our new relationship isn’t destroyed as a result.
CHAPTER 23
Derek
The streets liningAnn Arbor’s bar district are packed with cars and pedestrians. I inch through the mess at a snail’s pace, scanning the sidewalks as I do for a particularly beautiful brunette. Her phone made it through my twenty-minute drive, and the map app says she’s on this street. Unfortunately, it doesn’t indicate which, if any, of the bars she’s inside. I sent a text to tell her I was driving down the street a couple of minutes ago, but I haven’t heard back. I debate parking and searching for her on foot when I finally see her.
Olivia stands at the corner by the crosswalk. Her friend, Holly, stands beside her. And so do two guys. One looks harmless enough. He stands a few feet away from the girls with his hands in his pockets. The other one, however, doesn’t seem to know the meaning of personal space. He practically hovers over Holly. But even with his baseball cap shielding his gaze, I can tell his focus is on Olivia. It’s the tilt of his body, angled ever so slightly toward my girlfriend.
My girlfriend.
Damn, I like the sound of that.
Fortune is on my side as a blue minivan pulls away from the curb next to them just as I approach. I easily steer the truck into the spot, then roll down the passenger window. “Olivia!”
Her head whips around. Relief fills her glossy eyes. “Derek!” She takes a step in my direction and stumbles.
I frown.
Just how much did she have to drink?
The hovering man reaches out to steady her, and I’m out of the truck in a flash. “I’ve got her.” I slam the truck door and am at Olivia’s side in three long strides.
I take her hand and stand so close that the guy has no choice but to pull his hand away and step back. Scowling, he asks, “Who are you?”
“Her boyfriend.” I slide an arm around her back, holding her at her waist.
The guy looks at Olivia. “You didn’t say you had a boyfriend.”
It really shouldn’t, but his comment strikes a nerve.
I have no doubt Olivia wouldn’t cheat on me. At least, not when she’s sober. But the fact that I’m holding up half her weight makes me wonder if there’s a reason for this guy’s blatant interest in her. Did she spend the evening flirting with him? Is that why he thought he had a shot? What would have happened if she didn’t call me?
But she did call you…
I force myself to relax. Now is not the time or place to try and figure this out. I need to get Olivia home.
“Well, she does,” I speak for Olivia then glance down at her. “Are you ready to go?”
Her glassy eyes are a little unfocused, but she nods.
“Nice to see you, Derek.” Holly appears on my other side. The blonde leans into me, nearly knocking me off balance.
“Holly,” I clip, widening my stance to keep from falling.
“Can I get a ride, too?” She grips my bicep, and her eyes trail over me suggestively. “Pretty please?”
I don’t like the way she’s looking at me.
Not one bit.
I’ve met my fair share of untrustworthy people since starting my company. Olivia may consider Holly a friend, but I know a snake when I see one. But I can’t leave her alone with two strangers.
“Sure,” I force myself to say. “Get in.”
The baseball cap guy grumbles in annoyance. I brace myself for a confrontation, but his friend grabs his arm and pulls him away.
When I turn back around, Holly is already in the truck, buckling herself in the middle seat.
