Mission For Love (Love By Design 6)

“Weird for who?” I pressed taking a step closer into her personal space. “Newsflash, we are adults.” I took the medal and placed it over her head letting my hands linger around her neck.

“Picture for the paper?” We both turned and I tugged Kiara in next to me as Lia Faust snapped the shot.

“Hey girl, is Whit around?” I asked the adorable purple haired girlfriend of another one of my best guy friends.

“That man of mine is working today. Maybe I can convince him to come to town for drinks tonight.”

“Have him text me.” I said.

“Will do, I have to jet before these people run off on me, no pun intended.” She waved jogging off to take more candid shots of the post-race action.

“She looks like she’s fifteen.” Kiara said kindly, her eyes following Lia’s path through the crowd. Her face was covered by the lens and I saw her grab a shot of Evan directing traffic. He’d love that one, the swaggering meathead.

“We call her Jailbait as a joke, but Whit hates it. Maybe you’ll get to meet all of them soon. It’s rare we can get together anymore. Probably going to need a wedding or something.”

“I know that feeling, but I’m hungry, and I think you promised me food.” She poked my side gently and I squeezed her back hugging her underneath my arm despite the curious stares of a few football players who earned a dirty look from me. I’d have them run until they dropped on Monday if they gave her any grief.

“I certainly did. Follow me.” Without a second thought I took her hand and led her inside Easton’s Pub that was crowded with runners and thirsty people waiting to sample Andy’s small batch of Marathon Mountain, a light IPA compared to his other seasonal favorite, the darker Witches Tit.

“This place is packed.” My girl shouted and I agreed.

“Let me have Pedro get us some drinks and food. We can go upstairs out of the crowd if that’s better.”

Before I get an answer, a couple who wasn’t paying attention bumped into Kiara hard sending her into my arms.

“Shit.” She cursed.

“Hey guys watch it.” I scolded them and made room for her to come with me. I’d protect her like a personal bodyguard if needed. Andy’s beer was good, but it wasn’t screaming fangirl good, and I made a note to have him name the next beer something ridiculous like that.

I noticed Kiara was limping and I didn’t like that.

“You good?” I asked.

“A little off balance, but yeah.” She stayed close to me and I grabbed our personal order from Pedro and took her up the back hall to the stairwell up to the second floor apartments.

“Huh, how drunk was I last time?” She chuckled and I gave her look shaking my head.

“Maybe not drunk enough.” I snarked back.

We got up to my apartment and I had her reach in my pocket for my keys. A completely uncalculated move on my part, but I still got side eye for it. Oh well.

I brought everything over to the kitchen island and barstools. Pedro had out done himself. We had fresh margaritas because why not, and a selection of hot food and bakery goods from outside.

“What’s this drink?” She asked and I sampled it laughing.

“I do believe Pedro made us his famous Prickly Pear Cactus margarita.”

Her defined eyebrows arched and lips twitched. “And that’s funny because?”

“Only because this pub keeps no secrets. I think he was making fun of you for turning me down.” I stuffed food in my mouth before I could get myself into more trouble because I seemed to be exceptionally good at that.

“Nice. I have a drink now.” She rolled her eyes and I noticed the tiny gold flecks in the mahogany depths. Kiara sipped the drink slowly wincing from the bite of tequila. We mock toasted each other after downing half because why would we do anything in any semblance of order. I already had her in my bed, but I’d yet to take her on a real date or even kiss her just because.

Well, that was ending right now.

I leaned in close and tugged on the medal around Kiara’s neck drawing her into my lap.

“What are you doing, David.”