Page 91 of Guarded Deputy
“You ladies having fun?” A deep voice breaks up the conversation, and my head snaps up with wide eyes.
Dani and Avery smile like the devil when I glance over at them.
“Absolutely. Take a seat, Mr. Deputy.” Dani winks at him.
“Just Mr. Deputy today?” He smirks at me, sitting on an armchair across from us.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes, knowing my friends are about to make this awkward.
“Are you tired, Lizzy?” Humor tints Nate’s voice.
I open my eyes and glare at him. “Nope, I slept like a baby.”
“Really?” His brows lift. “Me too.” He leans back, crossing his leg over his knee.
Dani’s eyes bounce between us with glee. She’s enjoying this way too much.
“Are you here for coffee?” I ask.
“Yup, but then I saw you here and couldn’t resist saying hello. It seems as you’re wearing your coffee today.” He leans forward and looks at me.
“Blame this one.” I point to Dani, who shrugs unapologetically.
“You look beautiful any way, Murphy. Coffee stains and all.”
My smile breaks through like the sun at dawn, and I can no longer keep up with the banter.
“Thanks, Deputy.”
“I missed something.” Dani points at us. “Who’s Murphy? Do you know?” She looks at Avery, who shrugs.
“She is because disaster follows her, but it’s cute.”
“You know, like Murphy’s Law,” I add.
“Wow, you have pet names for each other. This is serious.” Dani leans back, crossing her arms and nodding to herself.
“It is.” Nate looks over at Dani before back at me, his expression intensifying. “I’ll go so you can have your girl time. We’ll talk later.” He hesitates as if he wants to kiss me, but people in the coffee shop are staring as if we’re their newest reality show stars.
“Bye.” I shoot out way too fast and unromantic.
Now that I’ve snapped out of our bubble and realize we’re on display, my heart jerks in an uncomfortable way. Nate chuckles and stands, winking at me.
“You went from witty banter to really awkward.” Dani raises her eyebrows.
“I realized how many people are staring and got nervous.” I fall back on the sofa with a sigh.
“Who cares?” Dani shrugs. “Live your best life and forget the rest.” She waves her arms out like she’s on Broadway or something, and a few people laugh. “That’s what I do. Ah, fuck.” Her arms and smile drop instantly.
“What happened?” Avery looks around.
“I’ll accept a Nate interruption, but this is too much for me.” I follow her line of vision and see her next door neighbor in line with a woman beside him.
Dani scowls at his back, though he’s oblivious to her. All I’ve heard are complaints about him ever since he moved next door to her. He looks over his shoulder as if her laser-beam-stare was burning his back and narrows his eyes in her direction. The glaring competition is intense.
The woman beside him says something, stealing his attention, and Dani exhales.
“He’s such a jerk.” She leaves it at that and looks at us.