Page 17 of Adoring Ink

Her mind went to what else could be on the list that involved him, and she almost had to press her legs together and moan.

“Food,” she blurted. “I need food.”

“Your wish is my command, Holly.” He paused. “Always.”

Always is a long time, she thought as they walked into the restaurant and then to their table in the corner.

A long time.

Thankfully, neither of them brought up what had happened out in the parking lot. Instead, he made her laugh with stories about Harper and Alex at the gym, and she told him about the time she’d ended up with little paint handprints on her butt when a child fell down behind her.

He threw his head back and laughed, causing some of the women in the room to watch him with admiration. Too bad for them he was there with Holly. At that smug thought, she sipped her water, needing to cool down a bit.

“What color were they?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Bright yellow on my black pants I could never wear again. It was during my training so I wasn’t allowed to pick the lesson plans. Paint like that will never be involved in my classroom again.”

He shook his head and snagged the last bite of food from her plate. He’d been right in saying he could finish not only his meal but also half of hers. The man ate like a horse but was lean and muscled. She’d be angry at him for that, but she couldn’t help but admire the way he looked.

“I thought that was you.”

Holly turned at the sound of Jake’s voice as her ex—and now friend—walked up to them. She held back a cringe because as much as Brody sounded like he found nothing odd about her being friends with Jake, it was a little different.

Maya and Border were right behind Jake, and the five of them said their hellos, hugging and giving each other pecks on the cheek.

“Out on a date?” Brody asked. They were in the back of the restaurant so there was room enough for the five of them to stand and not be in the way. But Holly hadn’t missed the odd looks some people gave the trio that had walked up to them.

Maya leaned into Border’s side while holding Jake’s hand. Holly knew the three of them weren’t usually so open in public, but this restaurant was owned by a nice couple who loved them and weren’t small-minded. Unfortunately, Holly saw a few people in the building who weren’t as pleased with it, disgust evident on their faces.

Idiots.

“We were going to get dessert, actually,” Maya put in. “But we decided we should go home and check on Murphy and Owen.” Murphy and Owen were two of Jake’s brothers. “It got a bit chilly in here, if you know what I mean.”

Holly narrowed her eyes at the people openly gawking behind the trio, but Jake shook his head.

“Don’t worry about them,” he said softly as he kissed his wife’s temple. “They don’t matter.”

Border was silent and he studied Brody and Holly, but the grip he had on Maya’s waist tightened.

Brody rolled his neck and put some cash on the table since they’d brought the check by a few moments ago. “Let’s head out of here, shall we?” he asked, once again holding his hand out for Holly.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Holly agreed and picked up her purse. The five of them left with a wave to the owners but didn’t say a word. It turned out the trio had parked a couple of cars down from Brody’s truck, so they stayed out in the parking lot for a few moments talking.

Border kept his gaze on alert, however, and Holly hated that they had to do that. “We shouldn’t stand out here for too long,” the big man grumbled. “I didn’t like the looks that group of guys in the corner gave us.”

Maya’s jaw tightened, and Jake cursed. “I like this place, guys. I want to keep coming back.”

“Then we will,” Border said simply, though it was anything but simple. “But I’m not letting you guys get hurt because of idiots.”

Brody slid his arm around Holly, pulling her close. She needed the warmth and was grateful he was there. “You guys okay driving home? Want us to follow you?”

“We’ll be okay. Thanks, though,” Jake said softly. “Let’s get out of here, okay?”

“Okay,” Maya whispered, so unlike the woman that it made Holly’s heart hurt. Maya never lowered her voice because she was also so confident. And yet right then, Maya seemed anything but confident.

They said their good-byes and got into their respective vehicles to head back to their homes.

God, she hated that people’s judgment had put those she loved and cared about on edge. It wasn’t fair that Maya, Jake, and Border couldn’t go out like regular people. Yes, their relationship was unconventional, but they weren’t hurting anyone. And the sad thing was, with all the ink and piercings Maya had, she might have had some of the same trouble even if she went out with just one guy at a time. Let alone what happened when Border and Jake went out on dates in public. Some of the world had changed enough to be tolerant, but not enough of it.