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“You got it, sweetie.” She reaches out and touches his arm before turning away. I roll my eyes, moving to gaze out the window. It may have been a mistake to come here. Out of habit, I run my palms along my pants.
Bryce hasn’t said about the interaction either. His silence doesn’t make me feel any better. He simply looks down at the menu and picks out his wings and sauce.
“What are you thinking of getting?” He asks, looking up at me. For a moment all I see is blue. Those beautiful blue eyes that pierce right though me. Almost instantly, sense of calmness comes over me.
I clear my throat and return my eyes to the menu. “Uh, not sure. I think I’m going to get the boneless ten-piece with Honey Barbecue. What about you?” I look back up at Bryce and I can’t believe I am sitting across from a man who is as good looking as he is. I shake my head at the thought.
“The twenty-piece with half Nashville Hot and the other Sweet Barbecue.” He smiles. “I like it hot.” He wiggles his eyebrows, smirking at the double meaning.
Before I can respond, our “eager to please Bryce” server comes back to take our order. Still having hearts in her eyes for Bryce, of course. And still refusing to look at me.
“What will it be, cutie?” she questions, leaning against the table towards Bryce. She positions herself so it looks like her breasts are moments away from popping out of her shirt. And the shirt is already showcasing the goods. She may as well have simply stripped for him.
He replies, pointing to me, “She’ll be ordering first,.” Bryce gives me a nod, faintly smiling.
Our server, Jessica, according to her name tag that I could now see along with her boobs, turns to me with sheer annoyance.
“For you?” she demands, now tapping her fingernails on the table. She narrows her eyes at me.
I freeze, shutting my eyes for a moment. This is why I don’t enjoy going out. People. People like her. She’s judging me for merely sitting here. I’m merely a hurdle between her getting what she wants: Bryce.
I look up at her again. “Um, uh …” I can’t get out my words. My throat closes up, and I feel my heart picking up pace. My hand reaches up and starts rubbing my neck, trying to get it to open so I can speak. I grow lightheaded and dizzy, and I start to feel like I can’t breathe. Out of nowhere, Bryce speaks up.
“She will have the ten-piece with the Honey Barbecue. I will have the twenty-piece with half Nashville Hot and the other half will be Sweet Barbecue.” Bryce’s eyes don’t leave me for a moment while he speaks. “Also, you can cut the flirty shit. I’m not interested. As you can see, I’m here with someone. Respect her and be a better person.” He gives her a sidelong glance.
Jessica stands there for a moment in silence, then blinks. Finally she composes herself. “Uh, sure thing. I will get this in for you, swee—uh, sir.” Flustered, she walks away and punches our order into a nearby register.
“You alright, Kitty Kat?” Bryce asks, leaning forward.
“Um … sure.” I shut my eyes again, trying to calm myself. Internally, I’m counting to twenty. “Look, I can understand if you want me to go. I can take an Uber home.” My voice hitches, and I mentally curse myself for being so weird in social situations.
“What? Why would I want you to leave?” He cocks his head to the side, confused.
“I told you. I’m not good at being out and about.” My breaths grow shorter. Before I can say another word, Bryce gets up and sits next to me on my side of the booth. That only makes my breathing worse. I close my eyes, realizing how dizzy I am, and I grip the table to keep myself from falling over.
“Breathe. You are having a panic attack. Focus on my voice. Here, lay your head on my heart. Let’s get your breathing under control.” He pulls my head to his chest and grabs my hand, intertwining my fingers with his. “Focus on the beat of my heart and breathe with me. Take a breath when I do.” Bryce rests his cheek on the top of my head.
Closing my eyes, I listen to his heartbeat. Matching my breaths to his, I begin to calm down. After a few minutes, I meet his crystal blue eyes. They flash with concern. I shudder and look away.
“Thank you. Sorry. I really don’t do well going out. Usually, I’m okay if Vicki’s with me, and sometimes even with a little liquid courage can help. Familiarity usually helps too.” I chuckle.
“Ah, so all I had to do was get you a little drunk before we left. I will note that for next time.” He laughs. He still has me wrapped up in his arms, so I can feel his chest vibrating as he laughs. “Do you want to tell me what started all this? Or was this social anxiety something you have always had?”
Frowning, I think about what to say. I don’t want to get into my past at this point. I barely know the guy, after all. He’s nice, and a cop, but I don’t need his pity or to make him feel like he has to be nice to me.
I shake my head. “No, not right now.”
“All right,” He nods. Bryce stays next to me, not moving back to his seat.
“Um, don’t you want to go back to your side?” I murmur.
He shakes his head, the corners of his lips twitching. “No, I think this might help you a bit. Not feeling so exposed. So, if I sit here next to you, I can kind of shield you. Protect you.”
Turning my head, I meet his gaze again. He gives me a soft smile in return. “T-thank you,” I say nervously. He moves his arm from my shoulder and puts his elbows on the table in front of us. Our eyes lock again, but we don’t say anything.
Once our food comes out, we sit there silently and eat. Bryce doesn’t even break a sweat eating the hot wings. I’m somewhat impressed he can handle the heat. I work through mine and feel better having him sit next to me. His big stature really makes me feel like he’s shielding me; protecting me from the cruelty of others. People like our server. People who put others down and make fun of them.
As we finish up, a few guys walk over to the table. I shiver slightly, but Bryce places a hand on my leg to let me know it will be okay.