Free The Heart's Shrapnel by S. J. Lynn

professional.”
    I flush crimson and quickly peek at Phillip. He’s glaring at Cody and looking upset again. Turning back to Cody, I force a smile on my face. Cody shifts on his feet and looks at Phillip and then back to me.
    “Well, nice seeing you again. Hope to see you around.” Cody nods at Phillip and Phillip nods in return without smiling.
    I don’t know what possesses me, but I kiss Cody on the cheek.
    He startles and his eyes widen while bouncing back and forth from me to Phillip.
    “See you soon, Cody.”
    He nods, a smile barely forming on his lips, and disappears in the crowd.
    Stalling for time, I sit down, set my napkin on my lap, and mess with my food while I pretend what I did didn’t just happen. When I finally have the courage to look up, his face holds no emotion.
    “Friend of yours?” he finally asks.
    I pick up a fry and pop it in my mouth. The kiss was completely unprofessional. Cody must think I’m some floozy. But, something about Phillip makes me want to needle him—to give him a valid reason to scowl at me. I’m playing with fire, and I know it as I stare into his heated eyes.
    My stomach flutters. Clearing my throat, I finally respond. “I took care of him when he was wounded. He almost died.” Thinking back to that day, I can still picture all the blood—the look on Cody’s face when he thought he wasn’t going to make it. Honestly, I thought at one point I’d lose him. I love what I do, but the aftermath can be devastating.
    Something rough but warm covers my hand, and it immediately comforts me. Phillip has his hand on mine, and I look from his hand to his concerned face.
    “I didn’t mean to bring up something like that. I’m sorry.”
    “You know, for someone that always gets upset when I’m around, you sure do have your hands on me a lot.” My eyes go wide at what I’ve just said. What would prompt me to say that?
    Phillip removes his hand and clears his throat. “You’re right.”
    “Besides, you must have a girlfriend or a wife . . .”
    His eyes instantly harden, and his jaw dangerously clenches with strained effort. “You saying I’m the type of man who would cheat?”
    “I’m saying most men in your position get lonely.”
    He leans in, much like before, but with purpose as he commands my eyes to look into his. If looks could kill.
    “I don’t cheat,” he says roughly.
    A chill goes down my spine, first from fear and then from excitement. I can’t move as his gaze travels down to my mouth, lingering just a moment before returning to my eyes. Then he sits back suddenly, and once again leaves me a flustered bunch of nerves.
    What did I see in his eyes earlier—hatred, hurt? I’m not quite sure, but something tells me I may have rubbed salt in an all too fresh wound.
    “I’m sorry. That was mean and uncalled for.”
    “Doesn’t matter.” He places his elbow on the table and rests his chin in his hand.
    “Yes, it does,” I whisper softly. “What happened?”
    “It doesn’t . . . oh, this?” He twists his hand back and forth.
    “Looks painful. From practice?”
    He laughs. “You could say that.”
    I stare down at my hands, and my mind drifts to Kevin again and how he is much like Phillip in lots of ways—same career and same confident nature. Memories of him are mostly unpleasant, and my mood sours. This isn’t right. I have to stay away from him. He isn’t good for me.
    “Excuse me,” I say, getting up from the table. It’s my turn to leave. Plus, I could use some fresh air.
    Walking into the crowd, I search for Mandy, who is nowhere to be found. I’m starting to lose hope when someone comes up beside me. For a second, I allow myself to hope it’s Phillip coming to console me, but then his hands wrap around my hips. These aren’t Phillip’s hands. They’re much too small.
    Turning around, I come face to face with some guy who has one thing and one thing only on his mind. He’s handsome but drunk out of his mind.
    “What’s