Page 19 of From the Embers

Eric is next in line. “I never liked any of them, too superficial, and a lot of hard work.”

I press my lips together, humiliated, but trying to save face. Waving it off, I let out a shaky laugh. “Duty calls.” I’m horrified to say I’m a little unsteady on my feet as I walk back the way I came, or at least attempt to. Luckily, I only have an hour left of work.

It’s then I feel a warm hand on my shoulder. “Adi.”

I turn to see it’s Denver. “Are you okay?” he asks, towering over me, concern etched into his chiseled features. “I’m so sorry about them.”

I attempt again to flail it off with a wave of my hand. “It’s okay. But I really have to get back for the last hour of my shift.” That’s not exactly true, because I haven’t had my full break yet.

“Please,” he says. “There’s no excuse for them. I don’t even know the brunette, I’ve never met her before.”

“Well, Hannah seems like a real buddy kinda girl.” I almost grind the next words out of my mouth. “I can see what you saw in her, she’s stunning.”

He scrubs a hand over his face like this is his fault, which, of course, it isn’t. I don’t blame him at all. But that was just downright mean. Belittling me just to make themselves feel better. So much for us women sticking together.

He frowns. “It didn’t last for obvious reasons. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to keep apologizing.” Regardless of her less-than-impressive personality, this woman got to share a bed with Denver. Jealousy courses through me and I try not to let those old feelings of unworthiness creep in just because I don’t look like a supermodel.

I’m still fucking hot, and a natural red head.

“Can I walk you home again?” he asks. I can tell he’s upset by the way his brows are knitted together and the worried look on his face.

I love that he’s asking, but I’m a big girl.

“You know I can look after myself, D.”

“Ah, but you’re forgetting what I promised Daryl.”

I roll my eyes. “He worries too much.”

“He does, and if it gets back to him that I let you walk home alone, he’ll kick my ass. Rightly so.”

I press my lips together and sigh. “Have it your way.”

Finally a small smile comes to his lips, and it makes me smile too—maybe not as bright as a few moments ago, but his energy is impossible to ignore. He’s warm and genuine… and safe.

There’s that word again. Safe. But being around Denver is like a big, hearty, comforting hug constantly reassuring me that everything is going to be okay.

I don’t know how he even does that when he’s not even touching me, but I feel it all the way down to my toes.

“My way it is,” he says with a wink.

And just like that he makes a very awkward and embarrassing encounter seem like it’s buried in the past, not just moments ago.

It’s a skill. The sweet, kind Denver I knew all those years ago is exactly the same. He’s just all grown up.

I like that he didn’t give Hannah the time of day, and he certainly didn’t look at her the way he’s now looking at me. “You drive a hard bargain.” I swallow down the rampant tugging on my heart. Don’t read into it. He’s just being nice. “I’m gonna go use the bathroom.”

He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “Last hour, Red. I’ll cover your drink until you clock off.”

My lips part. He’s going to cover my drink for me because I didn’t finish it and, well, because he’s that kind of guy. But it’s his next words that shake me to my very core. “When you’re with me, I got you, baby girl.”

Holy fuck.

“That’s, uh, surprisingly sweet of you.”

He quirks a brow in jest. “Surprisingly?”