Page 38 of 28 Dates

Shit. “Thanks. And hey, order a ride for me, would you?”

“You got it, boss,” he calls out, but I’m already hustling toward the corner. When I turn it, my eyes taking another second to get used to the lack of light in the darker alley, it takes everything I have to not shove the guy off her.

His hand is at her cheek. Her lips are lifted into a soft smile, her back against the wall. He’s close, not aggressive…seductive.

Shit.

“You didn’t pay,” I bark out, unable to control the burning sensation searing through my chest.

Both of them jump, and the guy removes his hand from Caitlin’s cheek, facing me in a protective stance. I’ve surprised them, and his first move is to protect the girl.

Damn it. Ireallydon’t want to like him.

He grins down at Caitlin and reaches for her hand. Her gaze is on me, jaw slack, and it takes her a moment to press her hand into his. “Protectiveandfriendly here, aren’t they?” he asks.

Caitlin grins, and it’s shaky. Perhaps I’ve done that to her. Damn it, I am an asshole. “Both, yeah,” she says.

They head toward me, the guy holding Caitlin’s hand and keeping her close, but also slightly behind him. Like she has something to fear from me.

“Sorry about that,” he says as they reach me. “Was saying goodbye. Didn’t want Caitlin to wait while I paid. Planning on heading back in to close out the tab once I saw her to a cab.”

“I’ll get her.” My arms cross my chest. And fucking hell. It’s a nice-guy thing to do, but this is my bar and my livelihood. I’d be this pissed catching anyone leaving without paying first.

Perhaps. In all honesty, there are several mornings we’re closing out tabs people forgot to do the night before.

“Right,” he says. “I’m Logan. Caitlin told me you’re Jonas? You run this place, right?”

“That’s right. Took it over a year ago.” I take his hand, shaking it reluctantly. His grip is firm, not threatening. Which means Caitlin didn’t tell him much about me. “Nice to meet you.”

It’s a lie that comes out roughly. At his side, Caitlin frowns. Apparently I’ve not graced her with my dickhead attitude much.

Which makes sense. I like her.

“Right. I’ll go get that paid then.” He drops his hand from mine and promptly ignores me, turning to Caitlin. Her eyes move to him slowly, as if she doesn’t want whatever’s about to happen, occur with me standing feet from her.

I don’t leave. It’s the nice thing to do. Instead, I avert my gaze to the brick wall and pretend I’m not listening to everything Logan says.

“I had a good time tonight.” His hand is at her cheek again.

At my sides, my hands ball into fists.

“Me too,” Caitlin says. Her voice is sweet, honest. Not a single hint she’s pissed I distracted them from whatever they were about to do earlier. “Thanks.”

My fists relax marginally.

“I’ll call you?”

“Oh. Um. Okay.”

At her hesitance, my gaze slides to her. Hers flickers to me before going back to Logan.

She’s either nervous or annoyed with me. But what she’s not…is turned on. I’ve seen and heard the way the speaks when she is, when she wants something more than a few drinks and laughs, and that is not what she has going on right now.

She steps back from Logan and smiles. “Thanks for a nice night. Honest.”

“Right.” His grin is gone, like he finally gets what she’s putting out there. “Let me know you got home safe, okay?”

“I’ll make sure she does,” I cut in. And yeah, it’s rude. Whatever.

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