A woman at a corner desk tried to pretendshe didn’t exist.
Shaw dropped his hand and released a loud sigh. “No. It’s fine.” He focused on what Salem assumed was his receptionist. “Please forward any emergencies.”
“Yes, sir.”
It was rare for Salem to be uncomfortable, but he hated conflict. He didn’t mind a good word-sparring match, but actual contention was too much. One reason he had been so content with JD had been the peace. He could sit in total silence for the rest of his life and be fine. His life had been so goddamn loud.
Salem shifted from foot to foot. “Are you sureyou’re good to leave?”
“I said I was fine!”
Salem jumped at the barked words. Then his spine stiffened. “Good. Enjoy your lunch.” He strolled right back out the same door he had just entered.
He didn’t make it to his car before Shaw overcame him. Shaw was in his space, blocking his way to his car before Salem could make a clean break. “I’m sorry. This has been a terrible morning. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You didn’t deserve that.”
Salem drew a steadying breath. He had to admit Shaw seemed genuinely apologetic, but abusers always were. Salem managed a small smile. Itwas best to be polite and fade away. “I appreciate your apology, but you truly have your hands full and I…”
“Won’t be yelled at by some guy you just met,” Shaw finished for him. “I get it. No one knows better than me how bad of a first impression I’ve made with you.”
Damn. He was smooth. Salem didn’t know what to think. “I think it’s just bad timing. Maybe another time.”
Shaw crowded his space. Salem didn’t know why he didn’t step back, but his feet simply didn’t move. Shaw rubbed Salem’s arms, almost as if trying to warm him. Salem didn’t realize until hefocused on the gesture how badly he shook. He fucking hated that. Salem locked his back teeth, trying to force his body to obey.
A sexy, dark green gaze moved over his face. “I’m okay with postponing this, but I’m not okay with you leaving here thinking I’d ever hurt you. Sometimes I get loud and intolerable.” Shaw smiled, looking contrite. “It’s my job. I’m argumentative and stubborn. There’s nothing I hate more than to lose. Joesph is the same and we drive each other nuts. A lot.”
Despite himself, Salem smiled at Shaw’s not bothering to pretend it was only a little. “Are you sure you don’t want to go try to win backyour…” Salem had no idea what Joesph did. “Joesph back?”
“I should probably let him cool down first. He likely owns a gun.”
A laugh fell from Salem’s lips and he knew Shaw had won. “Okay. I guess I can’t let you get shot. Let’s get you something to eat so you’re not facing him hangry.”
To Shaw’s credit, he didn’t look overly triumphant. “Good idea.” With the ease of a master, Shaw swept him toward a nearby luxury car. Salem wasn’t a car guy, so he didn’t recognize the brand, but he was a money guy, so he knew expensive when he saw it. Shawhadn’t quite lost his attention yet. Maybe, if nothing else, they could be friends.
Dodge couldn’t recall the last time he felt so much at peace. While he knew things weren’t settled or set in stone, he didn’t feel like everything slowly slipped away. The way he had for a long time now. He had hoped Salem would come home in time for lunch, but he refused to dampen the day by overthinking it when he didn’t. Instead, Quest offered to take him to their favorite restaurant. Quest held the door open for him and Dodge hadto squelch an idiotic smile. It wasn’t often he got to feel like someone took care of him. He was usually the one opening doors.
The place was slammed. Crowd size didn’t matter. Dodge spotted Salem with Shaw like Salem had magnetized his eyes. He drew Quest close and nodded toward the table where the pair sat across from one another. There were four chairs. Two were empty.
“Two?”
Quest looked the hostess’ way. “Our party is right there.” He motionedtoward Salem.
With a smile, the woman grabbed two menus and led them to Salem’s table. Dodge didn’t hesitate to grab a chair and sit, interrupting a date Salem had a lot of goddamn nerve to be on.
Annoyance flashed in Shaw’s eyes. He was smart enough to quickly mask it.
A smile exploded across Salem’s face, easing the pressure in Dodge’s chest. “Hey, guys. Where did you two come from?”
Dodge answered as he scooted in. “Home.”
Quest visibly bit back a laugh. He knew Dodge too well. Dodge oftenleaned into people, thinking he was dumb. That was the label the upper crust community had given him a long time ago. So, fuck people like Shaw. He knew he wasn’t Ivy League or anything, but goddamn. Dodge didn’t eat glue.
“We didn’t expect to see you here, but wow. This place is slammed today.”
Salem nodded at Quest’s words. “We were surprised too. Apparently, there’s some sort of convention in town. You probably would’ve had to wait over an hour if we didn’t have extra seats.”
Dodge gave a sharp nod, satisfied by Salem’s willingness to accept their gate crashing.
Quest didn’t seem as easily appeased. “Still, imagine our surprise.” He held Salem’s stare.
