“It is truly a pleasure for me to be here with you tonight. I can’t believe how much Diego has grown. Thank you for coming.”
As I hugged the boy’s mom, I had a clear shot of Ari at the bar and saw a man getting a little too friendly with her. I quickly excused myself, rushing over to my girl’s side.
Gripping Ari’s forearm, I sharply pulled her off the stool.
“Logan, what are you doing?” she questioned while yanking her arm away from me.
I leaned down so she was the only person who could hear me. “I need to speak to you—now.”
“I’m sorry, Carter. My friend needs me to help him get the stick out of his ass. Excuse us.”
She stormed over to the side of the ballroom with me only steps behind her.
“Breaking rules, are we?” I snapped.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“What happened to ‘If we’re together, we’re together’? Did that just slip your mind while Mr. Touchy Feely over there had his hand all over your knee?”
“Mr. Touchy Feely was just being a little too friendly while I was waiting for you to join me after schmoozing your adoring fan. I was about to handle the situation myself. I don’t need you to rescue me, Prince Charming.”
“Do you see a gallant steed or a coat of armor over here? What if someone had seen that display and ran with it?”
“Why are you so concerned about the gossip mill? Do you really have such precious sensibilities that one slipup might tarnish your good name?”
“Actually, yes. I have a reputation to uphold, and I need you to be respectful of that. Why do you think I have never brought someone with me to one of these things before?”
She threw her hands in the air. “I will smile politely as I walk myself out of this place and get my own ride home. You’re out of control, Logan. I’m not dealing with this. I didn’t sign up for a jealous non-boyfriend to flip his shit at the drop of a hat.”
“Please don’t.” I put my hand on her shoulder, but she hastily brushed it away.
“If I don’t leave now, we might end up causing more of a scene than we already have. I bet the gossip columns would have a field day with that.”
I wanted to grab her, take her into my arms, and kiss her like she had never been kissed before. I wanted to force her to stay. I wanted to apologize, but all I did was stand there and watch her run away from me in a huff as the small train of her gown flowed behind her. I was a fool, and I was falling way too hard, way too fast.