Page 37 of When You Blush

“I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

He grabs my face in his hands and kisses me hard. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“I’m honestly fine. No bullshit. Go.”

Blake’s eyes are full of torment, but he kisses me again, grabs the burger off the table, and then he’s off. I sit down once more and steal his fries.

Chapter Nine

BLAKE

Fuck.

Chapter Ten

HARPER

Five minutes later, Bridger walks into the pub and skims the room, then walks my way when he sees me.

“I just got a call from Blake,” he says as he takes a seat across from me. “He asked me to drive you home.”

“He didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it.”

Bridger watches me as I finish my meal.

“Do you want some fries?” I ask him, but he shakes his head.

“You don’t look mad. I mean, Blake said you weren’t, but youreallydon’t look irritated about the abrupt change in plans tonight.”

I tilt my head to the side. “It’s not his fault there was an accident, and he has to go save lives at the hospital.”

“No, but a lot of women wouldn’t like having their date fucked up.”

I nod at that, and when the server brings the check, I reach for it, but Bridger snatches it up out of myfingers.

“I’m taking care of this,” he says.

“No. You’re not.” I pluck it out ofhisfingers, shaking my head. “I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Blake would have paid.”

“You’re not Blake.”

“He’s my brother, and I’m doing him a solid.”

“He’s my friend and same.” I smile at him and set my card down with the bill. “It’s okay, Bridger. I don’t know what kind of women Blake dates, but?—”

“He doesn’t.”

That surprises me into shutting my mouth.

“Hedoesn’tdate. That’s what I’m telling you. He’s not a Tibetan monk or anything, but he doesn’t pursue women because of the job. So when he called me, all worked up because he had to suddenly leave you here and was on the verge of an anxiety attack, I came with the intention of talking everyone off the ledge.”

“I think Blake’s the only one on the ledge,” I inform him. “And I’ll make sure he knows it’s fine.”

In fact, I pull my phone out right now, and see that he’s already left me a text.