She cleared her throat. “Are we going to pretend?” she said, louder this time.
It surprised him and he turned to look at her. That movement brought him inches away from where she sat. Feeling bad for invading her space, Zach snapped back. His cheeksflushed as he ran his hands through his hair. “I’m not asking you to pretend. But…we were friends once. Or did you forget that?”
She slowly raised her gaze up to meet his. He could see so much hurt and frustration inside of that gaze that his breath hitched in his throat.
“I didn’t forget,” she said.
He studied her, hoping she could see that he was sorry. That he would have never kissed her like that if he had been in the right mind. He would have never asked her to choose that night between himself and honoring his brother’s memory.
Before either could speak, Paul pulled up to a large building and idled. “We’re here,” he said, motioning toward the front doors where a large bouncer stood outside with his arms folded. He was staring down a long line of people who looked hopeful of getting in.
Zach nodded and then turned toward Danielle. “Ready?” he asked. For a moment, he wondered if he’d been rash in asking her to come. That he was a fool to think that one night with her would erase everything they’d gone though. But there was no way he was going to leave her alone at the bus stop. He wasn’t a fool. No history was worth her safety.
Danielle chewed her lip and then nodded. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
Zach snorted. “I think we’ll be fine.”
Why was she so worried? He’d already kissed her and learned his lesson. And despite the fact that his senses were going haywire in her presence, that didn’t mean he couldn’t be around her. He tackled 400lb linebackers. He knew how to face danger and not break a sweat.
Mustering his courage, he gave her a smile and a wink. “You’ll have fun. I promise.”
He didn’t want to see how she would react to his wink. Instead, he pretended that he didn’t care as he pulled open his door and stepped out onto the sidewalk.
A cheer rang out as he straightened and buttoned his suit coat. He raised his hand to acknowledge the crowd as he took a few steps toward the door. He slowed his gait as he waited by the open car door for her to appear.
It took a few seconds longer than necessary for her to join his side but when she did he extended his hand. Out of instinct, it found its way to the small of her back.
He felt her flinch but she didn’t look as shocked this time around. Instead, she kept her gaze forward as she marched toward the doors.
He tried not to read into her sudden haste. He just figured that she wanted to get away from the flashing camera phones that were lighting up the darkness around them.
Zach would be lying to himself if he said that her reaction to the attention didn’t endear her to him. Most women he dated loved to be in the spotlight. They’d stop and pose, giggling at the attention being with an NFL player brought them.
No. Instead of allowing others to fawn over her, Danielle was completely oblivious to their attention. If anything she looked as if she hated it.
When they reached the doors to the club, the bouncer gave him a quick look, clapped him on the shoulder, thanked him for the victory, and then leaned forward to open the doors.
The thumping of the bass carried out from inside and Zach felt Danielle hesitate. He could tell this was not her scene. Wanting to let her know that he was right behind her, Zach paused so she’d know that he was right next to her.
“First time here?” he asked, partially shouting to be heard over the music.
Danielle’s eyes were wide as she turned to look at him. Then she shook her head. “No. No at all.”
Zack studied her and then pinched his lips together. Where was he supposed to go with that? An awkward feeling settled around them and for a moment, Zach wondered if this had been a mistake. Was he forcing a shattered relationship that was not going to get fixed? Was he that stupid?
But, when he looked over at her and caught a glimpse of the same broken girl who stood next to his brother’s grave as the casket was lowered, he realized he couldn’t back away now. Not when he’d been given a second chance to be the supportive guy he should have been all along.
So, despite the warning bells going off in his mind, he forced a smile and motioned toward the tables and booths that hadReservedcards resting on them.
“Let’s take a seat,” he said as he touched her lower back again.
She nodded as she quickly slid into the booth and scooted toward the center. He tried not to read into the speed in which she moved. She just really needed to sit down, he convinced himself.
The waitress in a skimpy black mini dress sidled up next to him, pressing her hand on his arm. “Can I get you a drink?” she asked as she batted her ridiculously long eyelashes.
Feeling awkward that this girl would flirt with him in front of Danielle, he nodded, ordered a beer, and then turned to Danielle who was watching them. She had a look on her face that he couldn’t quite read. It wasn’t like she was mad. More…amused.
“Drink?” he asked, motioning to the waitress.
