“You were great, Tate,” I say once we make it to the lobby with the rest of the crowd. We’re leaving an Alzheimer’s fundraiser where Tate was the guest MC for the night.

Tate grabs the door, ushers me through, and then joins me on the sidewalk. “It was for a good cause.”

“But it was more than that. I think the crowd could tell your heart was in it.”

He shrugs. “Hey, wanna grab a drink?”

I frown. “Are you okay?”

“Kinda.” Tate glances away. “Tonight dredged up a lot of…stuff. I’m not ready to turn in.”

I nod. “Got it, and I think I have just the place.”

He smirks. “Let me guess, another hidden gem across town?”

“Definitely a hidden gem, but not too far away,” I say, smiling. I take his arm and lead him to the valet. “We used to go there a lot.”

“Who’s we?”

Whoops.

“Uh, Kelley and me,” I lie.

“When am I going to meet this Kelley, anyway?” he asks, fishing out his ticket and handing it to the valet.

“You want to meet my friend?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

“No reason. I just…” I trail off, not really knowing what I was going to say. It struck me as odd that Tate would care enough to meet Kelley.

His Jeep arrives a second later and we climb in. He buckles in and turns to me. “So, where to?”

* * *

“This place is pretty cool,” Tate admits, swiveling his head around the dark interior of Eons. “Low key, laid back…just what I need.”

I smile. “Great, I knew you’d like it. It’s a favorite of ours—Kelley and me, that is.” I glance toward the bar. “Why don’t you grab drinks? I’m going to freshen up.”

Tate nods and heads for the packed bar. I don’t doubt he’ll have trouble ordering, though. The bouncer took one look at Tate and immediately let us jump the line. I felt bad at first, but I’ve been in these four-inch Jimmy Choos all night and didn’t feel like standing on concrete for the next thirty minutes.

I push my way through the dance floor and head for the back. I take the hallway leading toward the bathrooms, round the corner, and smack right into someone.

“Whoa!” I hear over the roar of the music. I throw out my hands and grab the first thing I find. It happened to be the collar of his t-shirt, and under it, I feel a well-chiseled, toned chest.

A hand darts out to steady me. “Are you oka—wait…Charlotte?”

I snap my head up and meet the eyes of a Chris Pine lookalike. All light brown hair and crystal blue eyes. “Jay?”

I glance down and realize I’m still clutching his shirt collar. I release it like it’s hot to the touch. I clear my throat. “Um, what are you doing here?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing.” He drags his gaze up and down my body, enjoying my short black cocktail dress and patent leather slingbacks. “You look good.”

I wince. “Please, don’t…”

“I’ve been trying to reach you,” he says, stepping closer. I take a step back. “Have you been getting my texts?”

I nod.

“And you haven’t responded?”

I shake my head.

He frowns. “I have things I want to say—things I need to say.” Jay inches forward, and I move back. I reach my hand out behind me and graze the wall. In one more step, I’ll have used up my space. I’m trapped.

“I…” I fade off. Jay seems to have stolen my voice.

“What I did was wrong, I know that now,” he says, resting his palm on the wall behind me. I shrink back as he leans forward. People move by us but don’t stop, probably assuming we’re just another couple getting cozy.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs.

I stare at him. Did he just apologize?

“I never should have let you go, Char.”

I flinch at the sound of my nickname on his lips. It wasn’t his anymore. It was Tate’s.

Tate.

The memory of where I am now and who I’m with gives me strength. I find my voice. “I-I don’t care.” I clear my throat. “I’m with someone else now.”

“Oh, right,” he sneers. “What’s this about you dating Tate Gunner?”

I swallow, not liking the look in his eyes. “Its…I—”

“Seems pretty clear to me,” a voice sounds behind us.

Jay whirls around. My boyfriend is standing a few feet behind us with two drinks in his hands. His face is hard as granite. The only sign of emotion comes from his eyes, smoldering with rage.

“Oh, I didn’t see you there,” Jay says.

Tate cocks his head. “I’d think not, since you were leering at my girl.”

“That’s not what this was—”

“Well I’m telling you exactly what this looks like,” Tate growls. Jay wilts under his glare. “I don’t know who you are, but she’s…” Tate nods at me “…with me.”

“Right.” Jay says, stepping aside. “My mistake.”

I push myself off the wall and step toward Tate, clinging to his side.

Jay frowns at me. “Char, please…”

I feel Tate's body tense. “I’m not sure the lady wants to talk to you, dude.” He glances down and arches an eyebrow. I shake my head. “Didn’t think so.”

Tate turns back to Jay and shoves our drinks into his hands. “On us. Have a good night.”

Tate places a hand on my back and leads me down the hall. I glance over my shoulder before we round the corner and meet Jay’s furious eyes. A chill runs up my spine.

Tate just made an enemy.

We pass the dance floor and head for the bar where two empty stools are waiting for us. Tate nods to the bartender before sliding over a twenty, then picks me up by my waist, perches me on a stool, and takes the one next to me. He drags his eyes over my face and frowns. “What was that about?”

I shrug. “It was no one.”

“He called you ‘Char’.”

Checkmate.

“Well, we were close once,” I admit.

“How close?”

“He was my boyfriend…”

Tate cocks an eyebrow.

“…up until three months ago.”

“Ah.” Tate leans back and motions for the bartender. “What’s his name?”

“Jay. He’s an actor.”

Tate grunts. “Of course he is. Though he couldn’t hide that he’s still in love with you.”

“That’s not true,” I argue. “Not if you knew what he did.”

“What did he do?” Tate asks, his voice low and ominous.

I bite my lip. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to go home.” I stand up as the bartender saunters over.

Tate glances up at him and then back at me. “You sure?”

I nod. “Please?”

Tate frowns and hands the bartender his credit card. “I’ll close out.”

He turns around and studies the crowd. I can tell he doesn’t want to drop this. “You know,” he murmurs, “you can trust me with whatever happened between you two.”

I duck my head. “I know. And thanks.”

“Sir?”

Tate turns away and handles the check. I watch him for a moment, admiring his broad shoulders and striking profile, and I know he’s right. Even after the rocky start we had, I know he has my back. We’re a team now. Team Gunner.

I don’t want anything coming between us—especially not my ex-boyfriend.