I slide onto a barstool, my back to the bar top while answering him. “Will do. Thank you, Malcolm.”
I stare at Emery. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She’s curvy perfection, and I still can’t believe at one point she was mine. At least she was until I completely fucked it up.
Since our divorce, I’ve been a shell of a man, and even though I know I don’t deserve her, I can’t continue like this. If I thought she was happy without me, I could probably move on. I’d be miserable, but I’d do it. But she’s not happy. She tries to put on a content face, but I know her. I know her better than anyone, and she hasn’t moved on either. At least not entirely. By looking at the last few weeks, she’s trying to, though, and it hasn’t set well with me.
I suck in a breath and rub my hand over my heart. Truth is, since the day she said she wanted a divorce, I’ve had an ache in my chest that won’t go away. I knew I needed to get her back, and I wanted to be able to dedicate one hundred percent to it. The fact that she’s started dating has moved up my plans.
Emery is drinking water, and Ray is throwing back another shot. Just since I sat down, he’s had two already. I look around the bar briefly and back at Emery. I’ve been here before, and I know there’s one entrance in the front, one in the back, and another through the bathroom windows. Just in my quick glance, there’s around forty-five people in the building. I can tell who is packing and who is just here to have a good time. Who’s probably going to start a fight and who’s leaving with whom. It’s all part of the job to know my surroundings. But for the first time, none of that matters. The only thing that matters right now is Emery.
I watch as Ray puts his hand on the back of her chair. Her body stiffens, letting me know she doesn’t like it. I know Emery, and I know she can handle herself. I may not have been the best husband, but I sure as hell made sure she knew how to defend herself. I’m out of my seat in an instant when Ray leans over to whisper something in her ear and puts his hand on her shoulder. That’s enough. I’ve had all I can take. Hell, there’s no way I can sit here with another man’s hands on her.
I stalk toward the other side of the room. I try to calm myself on the way. Not only do I not want to murder someone today, I really don’t want to piss Emery off, either. When I get to the table, I pull out the vacant chair and sit on the other side of her. She’s staring at me with her mouth hanging open, but her eyes say it all. She’s pissed.
I glare right back at her. Ignoring the shmuck sitting on the other side of her, I try to give Emery my best smile. “Hey, honey. Who’s this?”
Truth is, I know exactly who Ray is, but none of that matters. He’s enemy number one right now.
Emery shrugs Ray’s hand off her shoulder, and I nod in approval.
That makes her even madder. She shakes her head, spitting her response to me. “Don’t call me that... and don’t act like you don’t know Ray. You met him in the bakery.”
I nod my head, still not looking at Ray. “Right. You’re right, I did.” I force my eyes off Emery and look at him. I did meet him at the bakery. I thought he was some random guy getting desserts. I had no idea he was trying to pick up my wife. He’s obviously had more to drink than I thought. His eyes are glassy, and he’s looking at me almost cocky like. I smirk at him. “So, Ray. Want to tell me why you’re touching my wife?”
Ray’s mouth drops open, and he stares between Emery and me. Emery gasps and grabs me by the arm. “We’re not married.” She looks at Ray. “We’re not married. He’s my ex-husband.” She stands up from the table and pulls on my arm. “Ray, can you give us a minute?” She doesn’t wait for him to respond. She starts tugging me toward the exit. “You! Come with me.”
I go with her but make sure to give a lethal glare toward Ray. I can tell exactly what he was hoping was going to happen tonight, and it’s not going to. Emery can get mad at me all she wants.
As soon as we get outside, she lets go of me, and I follow her to the edge of the building. She turns, crossing her arms over her chest. “What do you think you’re doing?”