“It’s not important.”
“Oh, it is. You and I both know it. I’ve seen the way you’ve been, and you’re denying your true feelings. Logan, he’s in love with you as well.”
“You don’t know that.”
“He loves you enough to let you go.”
“Let me go? How has he let me go?”
“He’s given you space. I’ve never known two stubborn people quite like the two of you.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I know a great deal, and you’re just being stubborn.”
“You don’t even have a clue so you can’t comment,” she said.
Why were they fighting about this?
“We’re here,” Grant said.
He parked the car across the street, and she saw the line of people waiting to get inside.
The line was so long. She went to join it, but Grant grabbed her arm, leading her straight into the nightclub. Calls and protests rang out, but she imagined that’s what you got for working with the big man in charge.
The heavy music surrounded her, and she felt a little sick.
Logan was in here somewhere. Could he see her? Was he watching her?
“You don’t have to be nervous,” Grant said, yelling over the sound of the music.
“I’m not nervous. I’m fine.”
“You keep telling yourself that. Come on. Let’s go and get a drink.”
“I can’t have anything with alcohol.”
“I know. I’m not completely stupid.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re nervous. I get it.”
“It’s not right to be a pain in your ass.”
He chuckled. “I get paid well for you to be a pain in my ass, believe me.”
They made it to the bar, and Hunter signaled the waiter. She sat down in the chair, and Grant stayed close. He was her protection detail, and now they were in the lions’ den, he would have to pick up his game. She’d not made his life hard at all during his time with her.
She quickly glanced around the dance floor, and then up toward the direction of the office. Was he there watching? Sitting at his desk reading paperwork? Did he know she was here?
She pushed some hair off her shoulder as Grant placed a drink in front of her.
“Drink up.”
She sipped at it. Orange juice. “Thank you.”
“I know. So, how do you want to approach this?” he asked. “You want to go in all guns blazing, or wait a little bit?”
“I don’t know. What do you think I should do?” she asked.
“I think we should dance.” He downed his whiskey, took her hand, and led her onto the dance floor.
People made a space for him, and he pulled her in close, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“How do you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?”
“Make people move out of your way.”
“It’s a gift. I’m hot stuff. Don’t you know that?”
She burst out laughing. “No, I don’t.”
“I’m attempting to charm you, and it’s so not working.”
“Maybe try a little harder. It’ll help.”
“If you want to get Logan on your side, you’re going to have to do harder than that.”
“What if he’s here with someone?” she asked. “I’ve come all this way and he could be dating other people?”
“He’s not.”
“How do you know that?” she asked. What if she made a fool of herself for a man who didn’t care about her?
He’d never made any promises to be exclusive, and here she was, acting like a fool.
“I have it on good authority he doesn’t.”
“How?”
“Hunter. He sees all. Stop stressing out. Relax. You know, do what you need to do. Logan is here, and he will find you. Now dance.”
She didn’t step too close to Grant. The idea wasn’t to make Logan jealous; far from it. This was about making him see reason.
Why do you want to see him?
What is it all about?
Are you here to be with him forever?
She had no idea what the answers were, or if she even had answers for their feelings. None of this made any sense to her anymore. Did it ever make any sense? Resting her head on Grant’s chest as the music turned to a slow number, she hoped she knew what she was doing for both her and Logan’s sakes.
****
“Please tell me why Ava is here in my club and currently hanging off Grant,” Logan said.
Hunter was by the window, looking out over the dance floor, but Logan didn’t need to look out of his window to see his woman. She was right there, in Grant’s arms. He clenched the pen in his hands, and it snapped from the strength of his grip.
Oh, he was pissed off.
He’d given Grant a simple instruction. To give Ava whatever she wanted but it didn’t include anything intimate, and he’d disregarded his instruction, and now he was pissed off. The bastard had his hands on her waist, and he needed to get them off before Logan snapped them right off.
“I don’t know where you’re looking,” Hunter said.