Page 62 of Guarded Knight

He answers for the both of us. “Send a whiskey sour and a tequila, Mendez supply, with a bottle of water to the corner booth, please, Hudson.”

He looks like a Hudson.Something between old Hollywood charm and a man who might rope you and make you like it.

Hudson salutes. “You got it.”

I try to act normal, even with Gabriel’s hand still hot on my back.

“What’s Mendez tequila?”

“The supply Rio keeps here. Good stuff. Something I can sip.”

Of course Rio Mendez has a secret stash at the local bar. He’s the only one of the brothers who seems to have leaned fully into enjoying their new, wealthy lifestyle.

I don’t begrudge the Rolex I saw on Rio’s wrist, or the fact that he keeps a top-shelf tequila just for him and his family at the local; not after how hard things were on their ranch back in Starlight Canyon. Those boys worked harder than anyone I knew. But I can’t help but notice that Gabriel’s still dressed the same as always—simple, clean-cut, no-nonsense.

Sigh.

He’s still my boy next door.

We settle into a far corner on a cracked brown leather banquette. He slides in across from me, his broad shoulders tense, eyes shadowed under the low light, and I wish he’d decided to sit next to me despite myself. I want him close no matter how hard I try not to, and this only fills me with more dread about what he’s going to say.

We both look outward; there’s an awkward pause where we know we can’t start the conversation and be in the middle of it when the drinks come.

I scan the bar, with disinterest, but needing to occupy myself. Penelope lets out a girlish laugh and taps the arm of the police officer, who briefly traps her hand and rubs it.

The waitress at the end of the bar loads up our drinks next to another face I know.

Blue Eyes.

Oh shit.I hope he doesn’t come over here now for me to catch his name like I suggested last time because it would be impeccably bad timing on so many levels. And I don’t think Gabriel will be as nice, judging by the tension in his jaw.

And now I’m tense, too, and also so wishing I’d started the conversation in the car instead of coming somewhere public.

The waitress arrives with our drinks, and once we clink our glasses together, Gabriel wastes no time getting into it.

“I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“For kissing you.” He clears his throat, and it sounds like it hurts.

“Oh.” My chest feels like it’s caving in. “You’re sorry you kissed me?”

“I didn’t mean I’m sorry for the kiss itself.” His eyes are raw. “I’m sorry I can’t give you more.”

My heart sinks, but I find a joke instead of tears.

“Sorry it can’t be more? I think it was prematurely more.” I laugh lightly.

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?” He finally lifts the corner of his mouth.

I’m glad I could make him smile. I want to brush it off, but I know that’s a mistake, so I gaze into his eyes. “It was actually a huge compliment.”

“It says a lot about what you do to me, Firefly.”

The truth slips free before he can stop it. He doesn’t try to take it back, and I’m glad for it. Despite where this is going—nowhere fast—I can tuck that feeling into my chest, save it for a day when I don’t feel quite so pretty.

He always looks at me like I am.