Page 51 of Breaking Point

“You know him?” Taylor sneaks a look at me, and I try my best not to roll my eyes.

“Yeah. They’ve met a couple of times. I want to hear every word.”

He huffs, the sound partially a laugh. “Yes, Sir.”

“We can’t keep meeting like this, Olivia.” Chase starts, and the insufferable flirty edge is enough to have me prowling forward.

“How’s that?” comes Olivia’s smiling reply.

“A wedding is hardly the place for a date. Someone always pulls you away before I can snag you for a dance.”

I hang near the bar to watch her reaction. She smiles, a faint shade of pink dusting her cheeks. “If I recall, you’ve yet to ask me for a dance, Mr. Sutherland.”

“Chase. Please,” he reaches for her hand, kissing her knuckles. “Allow me to remedy that.” Before she can even object, he smoothly adds, “Just one dance.”

Olivia smiles, and I can’t quite tell if it’s her usual polite bravado or not “Alright, one- but then I have work to do.”

He takes her hand, whipping her onto the dance floor as she laughs. I can’t hear what they’re saying now, but my eyes are latched onto his hands. One holds herpalm and the other hovers at the small of her back.

Polite enough-but I still don’t like it.

“How do you know him?” Taylor asks, and with a casual glance toward him, I can see he’s leaning against the opposite side of the bar.

“He’s introduced himself a few times. Record’s clean mainly, but I don’t like the feeling I’m getting.

Taylor stifles a laugh. “Look up his record already?”

“You know I make it a point to know when I see someone’s face more than once.”

“True enough.” He’s still teasing me.

“What do you think of him?”

Taylor’s shrug is casual, hidden as he checks the time on his watch. “Seems like another rich guy to me." He has a point, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off about this guy. “You think we should watch him more closely?”

I glance at them again only to find Olivia’s head tipped back in a laugh. “I don’t know yet.”

When the song ends and they finally break apart, Olivia motions, making her exit swift. But not before he leans in, kissing her cheek. She’s smiling when he pulls away, the verdant green of her dress floating like a cloud around her.

“I got it,” I blurt before Taylor can kick off the bar to follow her.

It isn’t breaking protocol, but it sure as hell isn’t following it. I don’t know what compels me to, but once I’m behind her and she tilts her head to look at me, there’s no undoing it.

“I almost forgot you were here, Warden. You’re not usually one for small talk.”

Normally, I don’t feel the need to talk at all. Never have. And I shouldn’t respond, but the more I convince myself I shouldn’t, the less I’m able to think straight.

“I believe you still owe me a question, Ms. Hughes.”

“I didn’t know we were still playing,” she whispers just as one of the bridesmaids blocks her path with an arm propped on her hip. "Is there somewhere we should go after the send off?”

Olivia doesn’t miss the sharp edge to the woman’s voice, but she still smiles. “Yes. We’ll all meet back in the bridal suite.”

The girl purses her lips. “How long do you think we’ll be here? I really don’t want to be here late.”

“As long as it takes to make your best friend’s night go smoothly. That’s why we’re here, right?”

The woman’s smile is all fake, and her voice reeks of faux enthusiasm. “Right.”

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