"Easy there, buddy." I roll my eyes, grabbing his arm. His muscles are tense under my palm. "Teo already handled it."
"Teo?" Jareth's eyes widen. "Teo Kirby?"
"That's the one."
He glances toward the doors, his eyes narrowed. "Should we go check on her?"
"Definitely not," I say before he tries to swoop into the middle of something he doesn't understand. "Believe me, whatever is happening out thereneedsto happen. Do them a favor and let it."
He stares at me for a moment before jerking his chin in a nod. He slides onto Nadia's vacant barstool, his thigh bumping mine as he turns toward me. "So, he's the guy, huh?"
"Yeah, he's the guy," I say quietly, cocking my head to the side in curiosity. "You know about him?"
"Nah. She hasn't said anything about him, but it's not hard to see it if you know her. You don't write like that unless you've been there."
"Ah." I glance down at the bar, tracing a water spot. "So you've been there, huh?"
"Fuck no," he says, chuckling.
Why am I not surprised? Of course he's never been in love. Guys like him aren't even capable of it. They just sleep around until they're too old to do that anymore, and then they die alone.
Ugh. Why do I care?
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Three jackasses threatened you," he says, his lips pulled down into a frown as if it should be obvious.
"Oh." I wave him off. "I'm fine."
His eyes lock on my face, searching. "Are you?"
"Yes," I huff at him. "Trust me, Jareth, this isn't the first time some idiot said something nasty to me. It probably won't be the last either. That's what it's like being a woman in this world."
And when you're a curvy woman? Well, let's just say that you get used to nasty, unsolicited comments quickly. The body positivity movement only works for those receptive. Guys like the three the bouncer is hauling out will never see us as equals. To them, we're something to use, and something to abuse, and that's it.
Jareth scowls like my comment pisses him off, reaching out to cup my cheek. His calloused fingers are gentle against my skin, his expression soft and warm. "It's still bullshit, princess. Fuck anyone who doesn't treat you like a queen."
"I…" I lick my lips, caught up in his gaze. My heart pounds an erratic rhythm. It's truly unfair how damn beautiful he is. And how much I like him.
"Jareth," I blurt, trying to think of anything but the way his body felt pressed to mine earlier. "Isn't that the Goblin King?"
He scans my face, his expression impressed. "You know your '80s movies."
"Uh, everyone knowsLabyrinth. It's David Bowie in tights."
He chuckles, his eyes locked on my face and his hand still pressed to my cheek. "My mom is a die-hard fantasy lover. You should hear my siblings' names."
"Khalessi? Aragorn?" I guess.
"Close." His lips quirk into a grin, his fingers sliding across my cheek in a way that I do not hate. "Try Bastian, Arwen, and Hermione."
"You're shitting me."
"Nope."
"So you have the coolest mom ever," I say, impressed. "But I have a question."
