“Well, whatever happened, whenever you do want to talk about it? I’m here, okay? It works both ways.”
“Thank you, Heather. I appreciate it.”
I didn’t like the look in his eyes. The way his demeanor changed almost instantaneously, but I didn’t want to push the topic any further. I wanted to relish in the happiness that seemed to be radiating off him. It was a relief that this would be treated like it would have been through the agency, but I was also glad we were done with that place. I wanted to get to know him. To be with him. To smile with him and laugh with him without an agency constantly breathing down our necks.
“I was wondering why the bakery wasn’t open. I was jonesing for my regular cinnamon roll, and to my disappointment, the shop’s closed!”
I gritted my teeth and looked up as Charlie approached.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I was hoping to find you, beautiful,” he said with a smile. “Though I can see you’re already occupied.”
“I am. We’re having a private discussion.”
I felt Andrew’s hands tighten around mine.
“I can see that,” Charlie said flatly. “Though I am a little jealous. I can never get you to smile like that at me.”
“Because you don’t make me happy, Charlie. That’s why,” I said.
“Oh, like a dagger to the heart. You really know how to keep a guy on his toes, Heather. It’s one of your best attributes.”
Was this guy being serious?
“Charlie, what do you want?” I asked.
“To have a private conversation with you one of these days. I have a lot to tell you, a lot that’s been floating around in my head lately.”
“I’m sure whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of Andrew.”
“I’d rather not talk with you while your lapdog’s around.”
Andrew shot up from the booth and stood toe-to-toe with Charlie. What the hell had gotten into him? Charlie was obnoxious, sure, but never flat-out rude. I watched the two stare one another down as silence fell inside the sub shop. Andrew towered over Charlie, but Charlie didn’t back down. I watched the manager beginning to approach, and I stood up, linking my arm within Andrew’s.
“Get the fuck out and leave my girl alone,” Andrew said.
I bit the inside of my cheek as a shiver shot down my spine. His girl.
“Are you with this guy?” Charlie asked me.
He looked down at me as Andrew slipped his arm around my waist.
“I am,” I said. “So whatever you have to say to me, you can say it in front of him.”
Charlie raked his eyes down Andrew before he snickered.
“No, thanks. I’ll catch you in the bakery another day.”
“No, you won’t,” Andrew said.
A malicious sneer hardened Charlie’s features. “It’s not your bakery.”
“No, it’s mine, and I don’t want you coming in anymore Charlie. Not if you’re going to act like this,” I said.
The glare he shot my way scared me. I’d never seen that side of Charlie before. Andrew stepped in front of me as the manager took Charlie’s elbow, escorting him out of the shop. I slid my arms around Andrew’s waist and locked them, feeling his massive hands dwarf mine as he comforted me. I pressed my cheek against his back, feeling his heart beating against my skin.
Then I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding as Andrew turned around and cradled me close.