“We should be going,” I say, before Tanner and Cash come to blows. Not that I’m worried about Cash, he can hold his own. Of that, I’m sure.
The fear and the hurt slowly recede, and for the first time the shreds of my broken heart think they might like to mend. I’m going to make it through the next ten minutes. Hell, I might even make it through being Tanner’s lawyer. All because Cash Gardner had the gall to call me his girlfriend, and that put Tanner in his place better than I ever could.
As if sensing the deal is done, Mathias gives Cash’s hand a good shake and promises to be in touch with me. Meanwhile, I am stuck wondering if my feet are still on earth. Whether they are or not, Cash keeps up the pretense of being my boyfriend. He sizes up the other execs as they trail behind Mathias, and then he focuses on Tanner.
I want to pull him away—he’s come here, saved the day, and now it’s time to turn and run—but that has never been Cash’s style. He’s more the type that’s going to end this in blood or drinks. Or both.
Just a normal night with Cash, I guess.
“How long have you two been dating?” Tanner asks.
Cash turns away from him and looks only at me. “You doing okay? You go from a long day at the office to an after hours thing.”
“I’m fine,” I say. Cash gives my side a squeeze and trails his fingers until they settle on the small of my back. Protective, supportive, but still sending a clear signal: mine. “But I am looking forward to that massage you promised me.”
Then, because I know I can only push Tanner so far, I turn to him and answer the question that Cash ignored. “Just a few weeks. But it feels like longer. We’ve known each other forever, so …”
I look back into Cash’s eyes and place my hand on his chest, right over his heart. It’s beating strong and steady, unlike mine, which seems to be running a marathon. He’s drawing little circles on the small of my back, sending heat straight south.
“Burn hot and fast, don’t you, Savy,” Tanner says. The anger in his voice hits me like a sucker punch to the gut. Ready to leave, I try to turn away and grab Cash. He refuses to back down, catching my hand on his chest and kissing the inside of my wrist.
“She’s just being modest. It’s been, what? Three, four months, Savy?” He doesn’t even look at Tanner, his gaze completely focused on me. I can’t keep from blushing. “I know we weren’t official for a while there, but I always knew what I wanted.”
“It’s Savannah,” Tanner corrects him. “She doesn’t like nicknames.”
Cash’s eyes leave mine and I feel naked against the crowd, but it’s worth it to watch him face off against Tanner.
“Maybe she just doesn’t like it when certain people use them. From me, I think she likes it just fine.”
“Guys—” I start, but there’s no use trying to break them apart now. They’re squaring off against each other, like they’re toe to toe in one of Ryder’s rings.
“And what do you do—I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” Tanner sneers.
“Cash Gardner, I’m a mixologist and—”
“Mixologist? Isn’t that just a fancy term for bartender? You gotta be careful when you’re slumming it, Savannah. You don’t know where they’ve been—make sure he’s had all his shots.”
Cash tenses next to me, and his hands curl into fists. He may not be Ryder, but I’m sure he can dole out more than enough damage to Tanner’s country good looks. Personally, I’d prefer to rip Tanner’s eyes out, because this is my battle to fight. It was me who got involved with Tanner and it will be me who takes the consequences. And as much as I hate to admit it, I still need Tanner to ensure my promotion.
So as much as it’s going to kill me, I have to retract the claws and do what any associate lawyer worth her salt would: plaster on a smile and prepare to take out the adversary.
“We should go.” I pull on Cash’s arm. We’ve had our fun, but it’s time to leave before anything dire happens. Smiling at Tanner is tough, but I manage. “I promised Cash we’d go for—”
“Now Savannah, the man is clearly in need of some clarification. Would you deny him a learning opportunity?” Cash grins.
At this moment, yes. Tanner’s an idiot, and Cash can’t teach him a thing.
“Enlighten me,” Tanner says with a smile, showing off his perfect set of white teeth. It’s the same smile that held the room earlier and always made me weak at the knees. I have to get out of here.
Haven’t I suffered enough? When I called for a rescue I didn’t think I would have to call in backup for the backup.