Chapter 19

“Is that Emma?” Paul asked, signaling to the other side of the room. Luke followed his gesture and easily picked her out, sitting on a bar stool, one long leg crossed over the other. With that long auburn hair she was hard to miss. She definitely stood out in the crowd.

“Who’s that tall drink of water with her?” Jane cooed, her Alabama accent thick and sultry. Luke knew exactly who he was. He just wasn’t sure how he felt about it.

“That is Arran Barlow,” Luke explained, downing the last of his wine. He gestured impatiently for more.

“The business tycoon? Doesn’t he own a multitude of companies?” Paul asked, filling Luke’s glass.

“He does, but his main business is a little up and coming company called Deja New, you might of heard of it?” Luke snorted derisively, casually watching the bar. “Just a multinational tech company in the same league with Apple and Microsoft, no big deal.” “No shit,” Paul smirked, failing miserably to hide his reverence.

“I’ve read that he’s a philanthropist too. Apparently, he does a ton of charity work, gives away millions every year,” Jane chimed in. “Well good for Emma!”

Luke grinned weakly, hoping it was good for her, but was cynical nevertheless.

“Will you guys excuse me?” he asked, not waiting for their reply. He stood up quickly and inched his way to the bar, shimming his way past two beautiful, half-naked women loving up on one another, a sight that never failed to liquify him. In spite of his mission, he couldn’t help but take a peek as he walked by.

Mimi looked pleased to see him he thought as he approached, her smile assuring him that she was fine.

Luke edged up beside her, placing a protective hand on the curve of her shoulder, a gesture meant to send Arran a message. That he was looking out for her.

“Hi, Arran, what a surprise to see you here,” he greeted, tossing him a nod in lieu of a handshake.

Arran smiled back flatly, guarded but not unfriendly. “Luke,” he replied, regarding him curiously, as though questioning his motives. That was the exact response he was hoping for. Luke needed him to know that he was there, watching out for his friend and that Arran’s motives better be fucking honorable.

“Having a good time?” Luke asked, turning toward Mimi, reading her face carefully.

She smiled broadly at him, her eyes lighting up in a way he had not seen in many, many years. It made him both regretful and pleased at the same time, a disconcerting feeling that landed heavily in his gut.

“Yes!” she assured, tapping the hand resting on her shoulder, signaling him to step down, the way one might call off a pit-bull. He dropped his hand awkwardly, unsure what to do with it, suddenly uncomfortable with the physical disconnect. He hooked his thumb in the belt loop of his jeans, hoping he appeared more casual than he felt.

“Ok, great,” he murmured, knowing it was time to take his leave. He gestured to the bartender for a beer, hoping it would come quickly. It did. He picked the chilled mug off the bar and tipped it towards Arran before taking a manly swig.

“I’ll be around if you want to come find me later,” he said, directing his words only at Mimi. He shot Arran a stern look but still accepted the handshake he offered.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her,” Arran promised, an amused look on his face. Luke didn’t back down but instead met Arran’s gaze with a smirk of his own. The man was confident he’d give him that, Luke thought irritably.

“You better,” he replied, his words were light, but the meaning was not. Emma shifted uncomfortably on the bar stool, well aware of the pissing contest unfolding in front of her. The last thing Luke wanted to do was shake her confidence, he just wanted Arran to know, unequivocally, not to fuck with her. “Well, cheerio,” he wisecracked, tipping a make-believe hat. He left them alone together and walked back to his waiting friends, apprehensive, but also happy that she was happy. It was the strangest feeling.

“All good?” Jane questioned as soon as he sat back down.

Luke nodded and took another swig from his beer, his eyes searching for Mimi across the room. “He better be,” he chortled.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine, Luke,” she drawled supportively, “let her have some fun.” He looked at Jane thoughtfully, certain she was right. He needed to lighten up.

“In the meantime, you should have a little fun yourself,” she purred, patting the couch beside her, inviting him to join her. It was tempting, but he promised Mimi he would be her wingman and he couldn’t let himself get distracted. He looked at her apologetically, glancing back and forth between her and Paul, fondly recalling all the good times he’d shared with them in the past.

“Rain check?” he asked, his eyes pleading with her to understand. Jane rolled back into the safe nook of her husband’s arm, respecting his answer, her eyes telling him she completely understood how he was feeling. He wished she’d explain it to him, he thought, wondering why the hell he was feeling so uncomfortable. This was what he wanted for Mimi, wasn’t it?

“You guys should go and have fun though, don’t worry about me,” Luke insisted, shaking off his doubt. The last thing he wanted was to dampen their buzz.

“Absolutely not,” Jane scolded gently, “we’ll keep you company. We’re just as happy to people watch, aren’t we Paul?” She gave her husband a little nudge, who in turn gave Luke a look that said, you know better than to argue with a southern woman. Luke chuckled and nodded, happy to avoid the wrath of Jane.