I needed to hold it together.
So I did what I’d trained myself to do.
I smiled.
Not at Jessie. Just in general. Just enough to show him he hadn’t won. That he couldn’t win.
And I turned to Dina like nothing had happened. “Sweet tea?”
But my mind was buzzing. My skin felt electric.
I didn’t know if it was the bond or adrenaline, but I felt every heartbeat like a drum.
When I finally moved back toward the counter, I caught Rett’s eyes. They were darker than usual. Intense. Like stormclouds over deep water. Robert was behind him, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he might break a molar.
“You okay?” Rett asked quietly.
“Peachy,” I lied. Then added, “Don’t cause a scene.”
Robert’s eyes flicked to Jessie’s table. “He threatened you.”
“I’ve got it handled.”
“You flinched,” Rett said
