Page 72 of Infatuated as They Come
I slid the card right back. “He’ll be here.”
“You and me can hang out until then.” Once again, he moved the card my way. “Until then, I can buy you anything you want on that menu.”
“I don’t need you to buy me anything,” I said, pushing the card his way.
But he wasn’t giving up as he once again slid it towards me. “You see this card? This card—”
“My parents gave me my own one when I turned sixteen.”
He chuckled “I believe you. That’s why I came over here. I love rich girls. They’re always so much fun…”
“Ew.” I rubbed my fingers against my forehead, using my other hand to wave over a waitress or waiter. And of course, they were all busy, their eyes on their iPads as they took orders or their hands stacked with plates. “Please just go. He’s gonna be here soon and you’ve already really annoyed me.”
“I was trying to be nice.”
“You’re trying to be pushy.”
“I’m not scared of your boyfriend.”
I snorted and grabbed my glass of water, taking a quick sip. “Please just leave.”
“Just let me buy you one drink, honey.”
“What did I tell you about calling me that?” I asked. “How many times do I have to tell you that I have a boyfriend? I’m not interested. Just leave me alone.”
It all happened so fast after that. Grant was suddenly yanked right out of his seat and I turned to see a frowning Sawyer standing there. Oh, thank God.
Grant’s eyes suddenly lost all of that spark as Sawyer’s hand stayed locked on Grant’s collar, and I could have laughed at the sheer difference between the two of them: a guy who knew how to fight versus a guy who didn’t know the first thing about getting his hands dirty.
Sawyer was all tall and broad shoulders, hands fisting at Grant’s shirt with that hardened stare I was used to. Grant was giving me a panickedlook, his too smooth, too uncalloused hands raising in defense.
“Sounds like she wants you to leave her alone,” Sawyer said, voice deep and rough.
“I was just… I was just messing around, man,” Grant said. “Come on.”
Sawyer’s eyes found mine and I finally felt at ease. He had a way of always making me feel comforted. Nothing was scary with him. Nothing could hurt me when he was there. There was a look of concern on his face as he stared at me, but that glare came right back when he looked over at Grant.
“She looks annoyed, actually,” Sawyer said. “Looks like she doesn’t think you were messing around.”
“Well, I was. Honestly.” Grant looked at me. “Tell him.”
“Don’t look at her,” Sawyer snapped, and Grant quickly followed that instruction. “How long were you sitting next to my girlfriend?”
“I just got here, man. I swear. Like, ten seconds ago.”
“It was more like five minutes,” I chimed up. “Felt like five hours.”
“And you couldn’t take a fuckin’ hint?” Sawyer asked.
“Look, I was just—”
“Yeah, I know what you were tryna do.” Sawyer kept his voice low as he gave Grant a firm push. “She’s not fucking interested.”
“Okay, can I—”
“No,” Sawyer cut him off.
“But—”
