She peered over her menu so that she could see him. And, wow, yeah, he was still as hot as before. He’d taken off his thick coat and the sweatshirt he wore stretched across his wide shoulders. Very wide. Had he played football back in the day?
“Is there a reason so many people are frowning at me? Not just people…the men,” he clarified. “Men are glaring.”
“Um, no clue.” And she was sure he was wrong. No one was glaring. She risked a quick glance around the restaurant. Yes, people were staring. How embarrassing. So she hadn’t gone on a date in… um, a very long time. Did that mean everyone had to make such a big deal about her being out with a handsome man? Small towns, jeez. Her cheeks burned. “Want to get out of here? I actually know another really great place to eat and we’d be guaranteed privacy there.”
Grayson blinked. “You sure? I mean, I’m fine with staying.”
She wasn’t. Jemma hated being gossiped about and, even worse, she’d just caught sight of Matthew Vail, a guy she’d gone out with—once—last year. He’d been her last date. And he was currently heading toward them with narrowed eyes.
“I’m totally sure.” Jemma leapt to her feet and grabbed Grayson’s hand. “Let’s go—”
But it was too late. Matthew was at the table. His graze raked her and then he turned to Grayson. “Man, you are wasting your time.”
Her cheeks weren’t just red—they started to flame. So maybe she and Matthew hadn’t ended that one and only date on the best of terms.
And Matthew was weaving a bit. She could smell the heavy scent of alcohol rolling off him.
“You aren’t getting past first base with her. No one fucking does. Jemma will freeze your ass out, too.” Matthew’s voice was too loud. Far too loud.
And the restaurant was suddenly, terribly quiet.
Jemma straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “You’ve had too much to drink tonight, Matthew.”
“No…” Grayson had risen to his full height and now he stared down at the smaller man with hard, glinting eyes. “You’re just an asshole who doesn’t know how to talk to a lady.”
Matthew’s jaw dropped.
“So how about this…” Grayson’s grin was cold. Deadly. “How about you apologize before I decide to teach you some manners? Because…no one is going to talk to Jemma that way, especially not right the fuck in front of me.”
Her heart beat faster.
And there were murmurs behind Matthew. Calls of… “Asshole.” And “He knows better than to drink that damn much…”
Matthew wasn’t exactly a favorite in Holly. He’d arrived there about eighteen months ago and not made a ton of friends. Mostly because…
He could be an asshole.
“Sorry you’re so frigid, Jemma,” Matthew said with a smirk. He turned away.
Grayson’s hand flew out, grabbed his arm, and whirled him right back around.
Only Matthew came at Grayson—swinging.
Jemma yelled, horrified. This could not be happening on their first date. Oh, please no! Matthew owned the gym in town and he worked out nearly as much as Brad and—
Grayson caught the guy’s fist in his hand. Just…caught it. Held it easily. And smiled.
A scary smile.
“That wasn’t the kind of apology I was asking for…” Grayson murmured.
“What? Ow! Let go, man, let go!”
Was Grayson breaking Matthew’s fingers? “Um, Grayson…”
He turned his head to look at her, and that cold smile warmed up. “You can call me Gray. All my friends do.” He had a dimple in his left cheek.
Were they friends? “Gray…” She paused. “Want to let him go?” They were making a serious scene—not her style at all—and she was growing more nervous by the moment.
“Anything you want,” Grayson said. He freed Matthew’s hand. “Maybe we should try that other place you mentioned…” Grayson began.
Matthew let out a snarl and he just—launched himself at Grayson.
This can’t be happening!
Grayson dodged him, an easy, fluid move, and he drove his fist into Matthew’s jaw. Matthew crashed onto the floor, and this time, when he finally hauled himself up to his feet, he didn’t try to attack again.
He stumbled for the door.
Silence.
Jemma stared around the restaurant. Holiday lights twinkled, and a big, fourteen-foot-tall tree stood near the door that Matthew had just exited.
“This should cover any damage.” Grayson tossed some money down on the table. He looked completely calm, completely in control, and completely like he hadn’t just kicked ass.
But he had.
He offered his hand to Jemma. “Still want to leave?” Grayson shrugged. “But we can stay if you’d like, I don’t—”
“Leave.” She grabbed his hand. Held tight. “Let’s go…now.”
The manager was rushing toward her, the bells he wore jingling. “Jemma, I’m so sorry! I called Brad—”
No, no, no. She pasted on a fake smile. “It’s fine. We’re fine.”
Just another dating disaster for Jemma White.
They put on their coats and got out of there, despite the manager’s protests. As soon as they left the restaurant, the cold air blew over her. So much for a great night out. She’d been so excited when he asked her on the date and now…