And he did look over, kind of. But he didn’t seem to see me.
Instead, he looked at Angeline.
She stood up. Her back was to him, and he was definitely looking at her.
She flung off the little pink sweater she’d been wearing. Underneath she wore a fitted turquoise dress, and she started half-dancing. She leaned in to Courtney again, bending over; Courteney pointed at her drink, then took an exaggerated sip. They seemed to be debating whether or not to go dance or hit the bar first.
Flynn was still looking at Angie.
Then he looked away.
Okay. Had I just imagined that?
Nope. Because he did it again. He looked over at her.
I watched as he stared at her, not even seeming to notice anyone else at our table.
There’s someone else…
Holy. Shit.
I stared at him.
It was a bar. It was dark. But he was sober and on duty. And he was definitely staring at Elle’s sister.
I watched as he watched her… Every fucking move. He stood rigidly against the wall, his body unmoving… but he kept following her movements. He was blatantly doing that stupid thing guys did when they were pretending not to check a girl out, but they totally were. Turning his head to look past her, pausing in her direction each time…
Back and forth his gaze swept the room, and every time, it caught on Angie.
Every. Fucking. Time.
How had I not noticed this before? He was watching her, checking her out.
I’d never caught him doing that with anyone.
I was pretty sure Flynn found me attractive. But he’d definitely never looked at me like that.
And Angie, from what I could tell, was totally oblivious. Her back was still to him, and she didn’t look at him once.
Well. Wasn’t that just interesting as all hell.
I watched, for a lot longer than I really needed to, just to make sure.
Yup. I was sure.
He was fucking infatuated with her.
It was like the greatest reality show I’d ever watched, unfolding right before my eyes… Or maybe a riveting nature documentary about a bizarre, exotic courtship ritual. I had to know what was gonna happen next.
I was only torn away when Brody arrived and we all stood to greet him. Hands were shaken, hugs were exchanged, and I finally lost sight of Flynn… and Angie, as she and Courteney vanished into the crowd.
When I got a chance to speak to Brody, one-on-one, the first thing he asked me was how I was doing—and threw a sidelong glance at Ronan, who was still hovering nearby.
And I wondered, was Ronan as subtle about checking me out as Flynn was when he looked at Angie?
Dear God, I hoped my man had more game than that, if he really wanted to keep this a secret.
“I’m doing fabulous. Ronan’s doing a fabulous job,” I said, seeing as how he was, and Brody should hear it… and the last few times we’d talked about it, I’d complained, passionately, about Ronan’s “over-vigilance.”
“Glad to hear it,” Brody said, cautiously, maybe wondering when and why my tune had changed so dramatically. “I know you thought we were all overreacting. But Ronan’s the best, and that’s why I wanted him working with us. Working with you. In my line of business, you protect your assets.”
“I get that. And I thank you,” I admitted. “As would my dad, if he were here.”
Brody chuckled. “You know, if you’re a hammer,” he said, glancing at Ronan again, “what’s that they say? You treat everything like a nail.”
“Yeah, he’s a hammer, alright,” I muttered.
“It’s his job to assess risk, to look for danger,” Brody said. “He may come on strong at first, but that’s because he is. And you need people like that in your corner. This thing is only gonna get crazier for you. For all of you…” He glanced around at my band. “You can talk to Elle, I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it.”
“Yeah. She does. And I’m getting it. Gradually.”
I was getting it.
I was also getting nailed, quite fabulously, by the hammer in question, so I wasn’t exactly gonna complain about Ronan’s style anymore.
When Brody moved on to talk to Xander, I caught Ronan’s eye. I drifted over and asked him, “Say hi to Brody yet?”
“I did.”
“And did you by any chance mention to him that you’re hammering me?”
He leaned in. “What? No. Why?”
“No reason. Just something he said. You never know with Brody…” I glanced over at my manager, but he was busy talking to Xander and not looking this way. “Do you ever plan to admit that I’m your woman, in public? To anyone?”
“Are you my woman?” he asked me, and he seemed damn serious.
I considered that. “Yes. You can try to put the brakes on, but that won’t rewind this.”
“I’m not trying to rewind. I’m trying to protect you.”
I got that. But it still bothered me.
I wanted a man to be a man. A man who was proud to be with me and didn’t give a fuck what anyone else thought.
“I’m not in any danger here,” I told him, gesturing around at all the people here who cared about me. And all the security, the bouncers.
“My job is to make sure of that,” he said simply.
“I am not gonna let that loser control my life.”
“And you shouldn’t.” Ronan held my gaze, looking deep into my eyes. And I wondered what this conversation would look like to anyone who might be watching. “Let me worry about it so you don’t have to.”
Worry.
That word snagged at me.
“Why are you worried? About Blair?” I took a step closer to him, studying his eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?” I glanced around. “Have you seen him around? Trying to get to me?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the problem? We have the restraining order.”
“We do.”
“So why are you worried?” I pressed.
“I’m not.”
“Don’t. Don’t do that. Do not lie to me, Ronan.” I held his gaze. And whatever he saw
