Free Craving HIM (Serving HIM Vol. 7) by M. S. Parker, Cassie Wild Page B

hadn’t done anything.
    “I’m…” Shoving upright, I stared at him blindly. “I’m going to the ladies room.”
    Dominic gave a small nod, still staring toward the table.
    I hurtled off away from the table and the eyes I could feel on me.
    I didn’t even know where I was going, but somehow, I ended up in the ladies room anyway. I didn't even consider this might've been a mistake until the door opened behind me as I stood there clutching the edge of the counter. I cringed inwardly and when I recognized the pretty woman who’d been with Jefferson, I was only barely able to manage a smile.
    “Hi.” She glanced behind her at the door and then toward the stalls.
    My dread increased when she came closer and pressed on the doors. The stalls were all empty and as I watched, she walked back to the door and leaned against it, arms crossed over her chest.
    “Jefferson wanted me to make sure you were okay. You looked…” She hesitated and then sighed. “Upset.”
    “I’m fine.” I lied through my teeth. “I'm just a bit overheated.”
    “Please.” She rolled her eyes and jerked her head toward the restaurant, and presumably the crowd out there. The crowd I still didn't fit into. “You can’t stand there and tell me you weren’t feeling the burn out there. I bet you grew up feeling it plenty.” She gave me a knowing smile. “I know I did.”
    “Please, spare me.” I shook my head. “I don’t want some sister to sister bonding.”
    A rich, friendly laugh escaped her. “Jefferson said I’d like you. He’s probably right.” She grinned at me. “I'm Shaynelle, by the way.”
    Her eyes were warm and dark, shades darker than the smooth brown of her skin, her hair a smooth, neat cap against her skull. It was the sort of the style that took a lot of confidence and the right kind of face to pull off. She had the features and the confidence in spades. She also had the honest sort of face that made me want to trust her. Not because any sort of friendliness or kindness that she seemed to radiate. Actually, it was the honest thing. Something about her made me think she’d tell me exactly what she was thinking, whether I wanted to hear it or not.
    I shifted my gaze past her shoulder, as if following an invisible line back toward the dining area, where so many had been watching me. “You ever get the feeling that you’re in a room full of people and you’re the only one who didn’t get let in on some little joke?”
    “More than once.” She raised one beautifully thin eyebrow. She pursed her lips and I immediately knew that she'd been let in on this one.
    “Okay. So.” I planted my hands on my hips and stared at her. “Tell me.”
    “You aren’t going to like it,” she warned.
    “I can deal with that. I’ve dealt with worst.”
    ***
     
    After she told me, I proved that I could deal with it. That didn’t mean it was easy to walk out of there with my shoulders back and my head held high. My new friend walked along with me and we laughed together as we came out of the hall—okay, she laughed. I nodded and smiled.
    “You’re doing fine,” she said, giving me a hug. “Be sure to call me. We should definitely have lunch and soon.”
    I nodded. I don’t know if I meant I was going to actually follow up on it or not, but it was something to say as we made our way through the tables. When we reached mine, she leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Chin up, girl. You know how this game goes. You never let them see you cry.”
    “Never.” I squeezed her hand and then slid into the chair.
    Dominic’s eyes slid to mine. If I hadn’t known him, if I hadn’t had him imprinted on my very soul, then I probably wouldn’t have seen it. He rose and gave Shaynelle a polite kiss on the cheek and that was enough to tell me something else about her. He knew her and liked her. Dominic didn’t waste his time on the empty courtesies of society, when it came to physical contact.
    Once we were alone,