Page 28 of Holden

“No.” Lyndsey shook her head. “They’ve been watching us from the start.”

Emily smiled. “I wonder if they even ate their food?”

“Oh, I’m sure they did.” Christa grinned.

Lyndsey smirked. “Absolutely. Those men are used to multi-tasking.”

“And are good at it, too,” Isla stated, then promptly blushed.

Ah, her friend had it bad. Emily had never seen Isla so happy, and they’d practically grown up together since the woman was Lyndsey’s cousin and had visited often.

“Well, I’m heading back to the table,” Lyndsey said. “I’m thirsty and Gabe will probably be leaving soon.”

Exactly what she was planning to do, too.

It’d been a long day. Heck, a long week. She was suddenly beat.

Stifling a yawn, she followed the others winding through the busy pub on the way back to their seats. Her friends sat down at the chairs their men held out for them, but she remained standing.

“I’m going to head home,” she said, grabbing her purse off her chair and opening it.

Holden was standing too. He shook his head. “The bill has been taken care of.”

She frowned. “Thanks, but you didn’t need to do that.”

A grin twitched his lips. “I didn’t. Apparently one of Mac’s cousins was here and picked up our tab.”

“Wow.” Christa’s brows rose.

“That was so nice of them or him or her,” Isla said.

“Happens to Gabe all the time.” Lyndsey shrugged. “People always want to buy the sheriff a meal, but they know better than to ask him for the bill. They get it from the waitress so he can’t tell them no.”

Gabe’s lips twisted into a scowl. “I don’t like being beholden to anyone. Don’t want them to think I owe them and will look the other way for them.”

She understood.

“Happened to me a few times too, back in Houston.” Because of it, Emily had stopped eating out while on duty.

“It’s a uniform thing,” Holden said.

For the most part, people were being respectful and trying to show their appreciation.

“True. And on that note, I’m going home,” she said, smiling at her friends. “Thanks for the fun night.”

They repeated the sentiment.

“I’ll walk you out,” Holden told her, his tone friendly with a hint of steel, as if he knew she’d protest.

Damn, she probably shouldn’t find it sexy, but she did.

What was wrong with her?

“No need,” she protested anyway. “I’ll be fine. There are a lot of people around and lights in the parking lot.”

“I’m heading home. The parking lot is on my way,” he told her in that same sexy tone.

Emily ignored the goosebumps spreading across her shoulders and sighed. It was probably quicker to just let him walk her out and get it over with.