“I realised that the only person I wanted to share this with was you. I couldn’t wait to call you and tell you what had happened.”
“What about Seth? You’ve known him forever.”
“Seth made it clear before I went down to London that he was done with me.”
“You met up with him?”
“I needed some clothes, and he’s the only person whose clothes would fit me. I mean, I’d have asked you, but you’re such a short arse.” He laughed.
“You said you wouldn’t tease me anymore.”
“What can I say? I lied.”
“Gentlemen. Your food.” Bianca placed our dinner on the table. “Can I get you anything else? Parmesan? Olive oil?”
“I’m good, thanks. This looks amazing,” Killian said and gave her a brilliant smile.
She smiled back and placed her hand on his shoulder. “It tastes good too, as does everything in this place.”
An irrational pang of jealousy hit me. Was she flirting with him? How dare she touch him?
I’d never experienced this before. The feeling was so alien that it took a while for me to recognise it for what it was.
But I needn’t have worried; Killian flashed me the same smile. “My man, Harv, recommended it.”
My man? Was I his man? Or was he just saying that?
Fucking hell. I wish I wasn’t such an overthinker.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it, and if I can do anything else for you, just shout.” I glared as Bianca patted him on the shoulder again and watched as she walked away.
“Is it me, or was she a bit too friendly?” Killian put a mouthful of linguine in his mouth and groaned. “Fuck me, that is good.”
“It is good food, but now I’m not so sure about the waitstaff.”
He gasped in mock indignation. “Are you jealous, Harvey?”
I pouted before eating a forkful of lasagna. “Maybe.”
Instead of making fun of me like I expected, he placed his fork on his plate and reached for my hand. Instead of pulling back, I let him take it.
I looked around us. No one was watching, but a feeling of panic surged through me. How fast could my heart beat before I had a heart attack?
“Breathe. Take a deep breath in. Nothing’s going to happen.”
“I’m just not used to doing this.”
I balled my other hand into a fist, my fingernails digging into my palm.
Steady breaths, Harvey. Steady breaths.
“We’re friends, Harvey.”
“Friends don’t hold hands.”
“Friends calm each other down when they’re close to a panic attack. That’s what I’m doing now. Calming you down.”
I took another deep breath and let it out.