Page 37 of Cautious Love

“Is he looking over here?” Ledger asks.

I shake my head no, but all I can feel is the warmth of his rough hand.No one is paying attention.

“I don’t want to make this harder on you, but I sure as hell don’t want him getting any more ideas. I’ll stay here for a bit.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can handle myself.”

“Consider it doing my job,” he says gruffly.

I sigh and slip my hand from his, clicking my pen. “Fine, I’ll get you some breakfast.”

“I already ate,” he says.

“Looks like you’re a Hobbit now and it’s time for second breakfast.”

The corner of Ledger’s mouth tips up, and he hides it with his coffee cup. “Okay.”

I give Bear his order and make myself look busy, wrapping silverware and wiping the counter that’s already been wiped down three times.

Ledger stays in his seat, subtly checking on Grey before returning his watchful gaze to me. I don’t know why he’s staring,and I don’t hate it, but it feels like he’s drawing attention. Or maybe I’m self-conscious about the fact his ring is on my finger.

“Bonne appétit, asshole,” Mollie mutters, dropping Grey’s plate in front of him, and some eggs fall off the edge.

I snort, screwing the top of the salt shaker.

“Please, give me a reason to arrest you, Grey,” Ledger says, his tone full of warning.

I look up and Mollie’s eyes are wide on me and she’s holding her wrist against her chest.

She rushes over to me, and I take her to the back because she looks like she’s about to cry.

“Are you hurt? Did he say something to you?”

She nods and swallows thickly before she bursts into tears. “He grabbed my wrist, but I’m okay. He just surprised me.”

“What did he say?” I ask her, anger boiling in my veins.

“He, uh, he said some nasty things. I don’t want to repeat it.” She presses her lips together, and my imagination runs wild.

Leaving Mollie-Mae in the back, I push through the door and stomp straight for Grey. “Get out.”

“I’m not finished,” he says haughtily and lifts his damaged shoulder.

“I don’t care, get out, and don’t come back,” I say sternly.

He chuckles and relaxes into the booth. “This is a restaurant. You have to serve me,” he says. His eyes gleam, and I want to slap the pathetic smile off his face.

“Get out,” I grit.

“You can’t make me,” he says.

“No, but I can,” Ledger says behind me.

Grey’s smile drops, and he looks at Ledger, who I canfeellooming behind me, and I feel safe because of it. Which only gives me more fuel.

“Everyone knows you beat me Grey, everyone knows what a piece of shit you are. So get out, don’t come back, in fact, don’t bother coming to town anymore, no one wants you here.”

Grey stands suddenly, and I don’t back down.