Page 34 of Saving You Losing Me

He drops another kiss on my lips before winking and heading to meet his friends and I sigh inside.

I’m not sure Atom realizes how sexy he is. He walks with eyes trailing him wherever he goes. Men admire him and women want him. It’s a powerful combination and I’m not surprised he is the leader of his MC club.

They will do well. He has a plan in place and if I can help in any way, I will. I must still attend college, but I get weekends and time off and it’s only two hours away from here. We can still be together, just not all the time and who knows, things may change between us. But right now he is fast becoming my world and if I had to make a choice between him and college, I know what I would do in a heartbeat.

But somehow I doubt he would ask. He values education and wants me to be happy. Despite his rather frightening appearance, with his battered leather jacket and tattoos, the bandanna he wears decorated with a skull, I feel safer with him than any of my so-called respectable friends.

Alice headsacross and waits at their table and I fix my attention on my job instead.

It must be thirty minutes after Atom arrives that the door swings open and my heart sinks. Michael heads through it with a man I’ve never seen before and I hate him on sight.

Unlike Michael, this guy is creepy, with his slicked back hair and dark, turbulent eyes. He has a scar edging from his eye to his cheek and his black suit is worn with a black t-shirt beneath it. The huge gold chain around his neck screams of bad taste and the huge rings on his fingers adorn a hand that is awash with black ink.

A shiver runs down my spine as they take a booth near to Atom’s table and as Michael raises his eyes, they collide with mine.

He smiles and waves his hand in acknowledgement, and my heart sinks when I realize I must go over.

As I walk, nerves are churning up my stomach and I force a smile on my face as I stop by their table.

“Clara. I thought it was you. I hoped you’d be working.”

“Um, hi, Michael.”

I smile at his companion, who studies me through hooded eyes.

“Have you met Emilio, Clara? He’s a business associate of mine.”

“No, I don’t believe I have.”

Emilio nods but doesn’t offer me his hand and I’m grateful for that.

“So, this is where you hide away.”

Michael’s tone is light, and I smile briefly. “For my sins.”

I cast a nervous glance at the next table and notice Atom watching the scene, his expression grim.”

“Well, um, it was nice to see you again, Michael. I’ll send a server over to take your order.”

“Why can’t you?” He shrugs. “You work here.”

“I clear the tables. That’s all.”

He raises his eyes. “Maybe I should discuss this with the manager and ask why his best asset is wasted in this way.”

“Please don’t.” I inject some steel into my voice.

“I am happy with my job as it is, thank you. Anyway, have a good day. I should carry on with my work.”

I turn to leave and am surprised when Michael catches my hand and tugs me back and says smoothly, “I’m having a party on Saturday night. I hope you’ll be there. I’ve invited the others.”

It’s as if he is part of my friendship group and referencing that and my skin bristles when Emilio adds, “He won’t take no for an answer, so you as may as well accept that.”

It’s as if my worlds are about to collide as I watch Atom clench his feet and half rise and I say quickly, “I’ve got plans. I’m sorry. I hope you enjoy the night.”

Before he can say anything else, I move swiftly away and shake my head as I pass Atom, rolling my eyes as a way of communicating what I think of Michael and his invitation. Atom sits back down but his expression is hard and my heart thumps as I head to the counter to direct a server Michael’s way.

Alice is waiting and whispers, “What the hell was that? I could almost touch the tension from here.”

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