He rolls his eyes. “You're kidding, right? His eyes never leave you when you're in the room.”
I smile - he’s right. When we’re together, that’s exactly how he makes me feel – warmth floods me that others have noticed. I haveneverbeen this happy.
“Look at you, still acting like the cat that’s got the cream.” He says, winking at me.
“Yeah, got that this morning.” I wink at him.
“TMI!” he shouts and laughs. “Who am I kidding? When I meet the guy of my dreams, you are totally going to be hearing all about his cream!”
I scrunch my nose up. “Hmmm, I can't wait.”
The door opens and all the guys walk in—a fine looking bunch of guys. Dec purposely strides towards me, I walk out from behind the bar and he slides his arms around me and pulls my body into his.
“You look gorgeous. How the hell did I get you to give me a second look?” He’s always saying things like this - I find it hard to believe that he thinks that - but he actually does believe it. I mean, he has a mirror.
“Well, I was desperate,” I roll my eyes and grin at him.
He squeezes the flesh at my waist in response and I slap his arm. I reach up and kiss his lips and he releases me.
“Right, drinks for you guys.”
The party gets underway. I don't know who is having a better time, the firefighters or the bar staff. Gary and I are dancing to the tunes that come on - the firemen aren't the dancing type. One of the guys, Billy, joins in with us – he’s fun. The others prefer to stand around and chat, maybe play pool. They need someone to teach them how to party.
Tom and I are dancing toTake you Dancingby Jason Derulo. I see Pete on his own by the jukebox and grab my bottle of lager to make my way over to him.
“Hey,” I say to him, bumping my hip into his.
He gives me a big genuine smile that warms his eyes. Pete’s great. He's so genuine and would do anything for Dec.
“Hey, you having a good night?”
I nod, unable to stop grinning. I'm so happy. “I am, babe. I don’t think I could get any happier right now. Did Dec tell you that we’re a thing now?”
He snorts. “Sophie, you’ve been a thing since he met you.”
His comment warms me and makes me laugh as he didnotlike me the first time he met me. “I beg to differ on that one. Still, it all worked out.”
He nods and looks at me thoughtfully. “How are you doing? Since the whole thing at the bar?”
I shrug. “I'm fine - Dec’s made it clear that Phoenix won't bother me again.” I still don’t know how he can be so sure, but his confidence makes me feel better. Dad will be paying him off soon anyway.
“Ah, so he told you?”
“Told me what?”
“About our visit.”
“What visit? What are you talking about?”
His eyes go wide as he realises I have no idea what he's talking about.
I frown at him. “Pete, whatever you are talking about, you’d better spill.”
He shakes his head and looks over my shoulder, probably begging for someone to interrupt us. When no one comes to his rescue, he sighs. “Shit, I thought with you saying that, that he’d told you. After you had the problem that night at the pub – when you got taken -well, Declan decided he was going to have a word with the guy.”
My stomach plummets. The last thing I want is for Declan to get mixed up in my mess. He could have gotten hurt. “Jesus, he went to see him? On his own?”
He looks sheepish again, “Not exactly. Me and some other guys from the station went with him. No one got hurt, and the arsehole listened or seemed to. Dec thinks so much about you, you know. I've never ever seen him be like this before, the way he is with you. Don’t be mad at him - he wants to protect you – keep you safe.”
