“Yes?”
He turned to face me. “I’ll never let anything happen to you again. I swear to God, I’ll protect you even if it means I have to give my last breath to do so.”
My heart did a big ol’ somersault in my chest, and I reached for his hand and squeezed it. “That’s a promise I don’t think you can make, Hunter.”
With a quick shake of his head, he said, “I mean it. If it’s in my power, you’ll always be safe. And if at any time my touch makes you—”
I pressed my finger to his lips. “Stop. I know in the past I’ve flinched away from you. I’ve drifted off to a dark place, but it was never because of your touch, Hunter. I simply needed to remember that your touch is magical to me and always will be. Every time I’m close to you, you…you make me so weak with desire, Hunter. I miss feeling you, all of you.”
“Bella.” His voice sounded strained. “You’re making me want to blow off Brew’s.”
I raised a brow. “But then we wouldn’t be able to dance, and I so miss dancing.”
Hunter leaned over and placed his hand on the side of my face before he moved it to the back of my neck and drew our mouths closer. The moment his lips touched mine, I melted into the kiss.
Before we could deepen it, someone knocked on the window, and Hunter and I both jumped. I looked past him and laughed. “It’s Kyle, and he has a goofy smile on his face.”
Hunter looked back and shot Kyle the finger.
“Come on, lovebirds, let’s get our party on!” Kyle shouted through the glass.
Turning back to me, Hunter asked, “You ready?”
I nodded.
“Bella, don’t be surprised if guys look at you. You’re beautiful. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“If I’m with you, I won’t feel anything but blissfully happy.”
Even in the dark cab of his truck, I could see his eyes light up. “Come on, let’s go in fast; you don’t have a coat with you.” Hunter got out of his truck and jogged over to the passenger side.
We hurried into Brew’s before we both froze. For a brief moment, I felt my breathing grow more rapid, but when Hunter placed his hand on my lower back and guided us over to the large table our friends were all gathered around, I felt myself instantly relax. The past wasn’t going to lead my future any longer.
When he pulled out a chair for me, I smiled back at Hunter and sat down. He sat next to me and said something to Kyle that I couldn’t hear, but whatever is was made Kyle nod his head. Candace and her boyfriend, Rick, were already on the dance floor. Abby sat on my other side, with Bishop next to her. Greer and Hudson made a beeline for the dance floor, but not before telling Bishop what they both wanted to drink so he could order for them when the waitress came by.
“Are we too late to join the party?”
We all looked up to see Willa and Aiden standing there, both wearing big smiles.
“Willa!” I said, jumping up to greet her.
She looked me up and down before she hugged me. “Arabella, you look gorgeous.”
“I can’t take credit for Bree’s handiwork.”
Willa laughed and hugged me once more. She pressed her mouth next to my ear. “I’m so glad to see you out with Hunter. It makes my heart so happy.”
“Mine too,” I replied.
“I’m so happy you made it, Willa and Aiden!” Abby called out over the music.
As they both sat down, the waitress walked up. “Drinks?”
Everyone gave her their order as the waitress made her way around the table. Hunter and I both ordered Cokes and waters, which Kyle immediately noticed.
“Why aren’t y’all drinking?” he asked.
Hunter shrugged. “Just not in the mood.”
“Same,” I added with a smile.
“I’m not drinking either,” Willa said, giving me a warm smile.
“I sure as hell am.” Aiden told the waitress what he wanted. “Life with a newborn is…blissfully exhausting.”
Willa nodded and smiled as Aiden leaned over and kissed her on the lips.
“You look amazing, Willa,” Abby said.
“Thank you. It’s been hard to rebound after this pregnancy.”
Aiden turned to look at Willa. “What do you mean?”
I was positive I wasn’t the only person who could hear the concern in his voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was worried about postpartum depression, with his own past history of depression and PTSD.
Willa took Aiden’s hand. “It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s just been harder to get my figure back after this pregnancy.”
“Figure? You’re perfect, Willa. Everything about your body is beautiful.”
My heart melted on the spot, and one quick look at Abby told me hers did as well. It also wasn’t lost on me that Abby had ordered a 7UP and not a drink while everyone was focused on Kyle earlier. I smiled as I took in that telltale glow in her cheeks.