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“Okay, Larrabee. This is what you want? Is this how a lieutenant would act?” He’s goading me. He wants the promotion, and I’m in the way—I don’t really care at this point.
I brace myself for his charge, my heart pumping, my blood boiling, but before I can move, I hear someone call my name from behind.
I turn and there, standing just inside the doorway, is Emmy.
My breath is ragged, and I have to swallow the bitter taste of shame as it crawls up the back of my throat.
She locks onto my eyes and makes quick work of the space between us. When she reaches me, she stands between me and Levi, hands on my chest. “He’s not worth it.” Her eyes are so wide and focused they pull me right in.
She knows that if my temper gets the better of me here, I might not get another chance. I could ruin my shot at that promotion. All because some punk got the better of me. She doesn’t say it out loud, but I can see it on her face.
I can hear the warning in her voice.
And just like I did in the midst of her panic attack, she reaches out and takes my fisted hand between hers. “He doesn’t matter.”
I look up and glare at Levi, and she takes a hand and puts it on my cheek.
“Hey. . .hey,” she says, then leans in and softer, “tell me three body parts you see.”
I blink, look down, and her eyes twinkle.
I immediately break, relax, and feel a slight smile crawl across my face.
In an instant, with one softly spoken sentence, Emmy has saved me.
Behind her, Levi makes a snide comment, then laughs that annoying laugh. And normally I would want to barrel past her and introduce him to the business end of a barstool.
But instead, I’m calm. It’s odd, but Emmy has made me see this whole situation as funny.
And pathetic.
I feel sorry for Levi.
I take a step back.
“Not cool, man,” Jace says to Levi.
“Really not cool.” Turner walks away from Levi.
Emmy is still holding my hand, and just like in her bookshop only an hour ago, it’s like the rest of the world disappears, and she is all that matters.
Levi glares at me as he takes a step away. “Good luck on your test.”
I look at him, and without thinking, I say, “I might fail it, but you’ll always succeed at being a total scumbag.”
Emmy, still facing only me, smiles.
Levi storms through the restaurant and out the door.
I take a breath and look around. People are starting to go back to their conversations, which, I’m guessing, are all about what just happened.
“You have perfect timing, you know that?” My hand is still in hers, and she pats it and lets it go. “What are you even doing here?”
She shrugs, a soft smile dancing on her lips. “A girl’s gotta eat.”
She’s amazing right now.
“Well, I’m buying,” I tell her. “I owe you.”
