Page 17 of Saving You

She arches a brow.

“Seriously, nothing. If he wasn’t forbidden fruit before, after Monday, he one hundred percent is.” I groan as I lean my back against the booth.

“Okay, why is he forbidden fruit? And what happened Monday?” Liv asks.

“Well, let’s see. First, he responded to a 911 call at my house after my abusive ex-husband showed up, grabbed me, and scared the shit out of my daughter enough that she called 911 on her dad. Second”—I tick off the numbers with my fingers—“I’ve got baggage between my ex and a lack of support, besides Lily, and a kid. Third, he looks like a Greek fucking god, and I’ve got a mom bod. And lastly, the fucking icing on the cake: He’s a patient at my work. He walked into the office on Monday for a doctor’s appointment. All of that equals forbidden fruit,” I finish explaining, looking around the table full of assessing looks.

Hannah breaks the silence. “Babe, to be honest, the only one I see as an issue is that he’s a patient at your job, but he could always go and find another doctor. So there is the solution to your only real problem.”

“What about the fact he responded to the 911 call, I have baggage, and the man is so far out of my league it’s not even funny.”

Hannah throws her head back and laughs. She fucking laughs. I scowl at her, but it only causes her to laugh harder.

“Babe, firstly, Caleb would never hold that call against you. Secondly, we all have baggage, and I can guarantee you that man has baggage most of us don’t even know about. And lastly, you’re hot as fuck. So stop saying he’s out of your league. He is totally in it.”

I hide my face in my drink and take another sip. No one other than Lily has built me up in a long time, and I’ve known her for years. Now I have a practical stranger sitting here, taking apart every negative thing I’ve just voiced. My body is warm, and I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or the affection I have for this woman.

“She’s right you know,” Liv says. “I’ll let you in on something. Before Josh, I had some major self-image issues. My ex cheated on me all while telling me how I needed to improve my body. I really struggled with it. It took the support of these girls and a lot of affirmations from Josh to make me believe I was worthy.” A blush stains her cheeks as she talks about affirmation from Josh. “These girls wouldn’t lie to me and they won’t lie to you either. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I’d be able to have the happy, healthy, and loving relationship I have with Josh.”

The girls each put a hand in the middle of the table and they all grab on and squeeze. I feel all their eyes on me as I stare at their hands. Lily adds hers and nudges me. I add mine, using my free hand to wipe the moisture from the corner of my eyes.

“You girls are the best,” I choke out.

We separate, and I finish my drink before pouring another and chugging it. “Okay, enough touchy-feely shit. Who’s going to dance with me?”

Zoey and Hannah slide out of the booth, and the three of us make our way to the edge of the dance floor.

My arms go above my head as I move my hips to the music. The alcohol hits, and my body temperature rises. I lose all worry about how I move in front of all these people. Hands grip my hips, and a body press against my back. I move my hips with theirs, tossing my head back with my eyes closed. The grip on my hips tightens as warm air dances over my neck.

“Why don’t you and this sexy ass of yours go into the washroom with me for a good fuck.”

I jolt at the words. “Let go of me. I’m not interested,” I say.

I go to move out of his hold, but his grip doesn’t relent. He pulls mebackwards so I can feel his erection pressing into my ass.

“Oh, you know you’ll like it. You’re practically asking for it the way you’re shaking your ass in this dress.”

Just as I’m about to whirl around on this douchebag, his body is suddenly ripped away from me. I turn around quickly, reaching out and grabbing the nearest thing to settle myself. I realize it’s an arm.

“She said she wasn’t fucking interested. Take the hint and get lost,” the man who pulled away the creep growls.

The guy that was pressed against me has his arm pulled behind his back as my saviour towers over him. My head tips back as my eyes trail up my saviour’s body. My eyes take in the defined muscles and the way the material of his jeans hugs his large thighs and his shirt stretches across his chest. I inhale a familiar scent of bergamot and something slightly sweet, and my gaze is met by panty melting, steel-grey eyes.

Caleb smirks. “Panty melting?”

I inhale sharply. “Fuck, did I say that out loud?”

I know I’ve had a lot to drink if I’ve lost my filter. I quickly turn, throwing my arms out to steady myself, and make my way back to the table. When I get there I reach a hand out to Lily, making a grabbing motion, and she hands me my drink.

“No filter Bailey is here,” I say, and she throws her head back and lets out a loud laugh.

“What did you say?”

“Panty melting,” Caleb responds from behind me.

I point a thumb over my shoulder at him. “That. I said that.” I take another large drink.

Lily’s eyes go wide and bounce between Caleb and me before a smile spreads across her face like she’s just solved the problem of world hunger.

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