Only You (Adair Family #5)(73)

It made it difficult for me to believe that any man had manipulated her the way Shaw had, and knowing that he’d crushed her for a moment in time made me want to kill him. However, I’d have to be satisfied with warning the bastard off. Walker’s contacts had paid him a visit last week, and Walk said the bully almost wet himself at the threat and promised to leave Monroe alone. Our guys were assured Steven Shaw would not be sending anymore threatening postcards.

One job ticked off the “Make Monroe Sinclair’s Life Better” list.

Now I just had to convince her that giving me a real shot would make her life better too. I’d see to it.

“You’ve got a look on your face,” Walker said as he accompanied me into the primary school.

After another rehearsal yesterday and one today, tonight was finally the night the kids performed the musical. I was looking forward to it for them. They’d worked really hard, and it had come together nicely.

“What kind of look?” I asked, avoiding parents’ gazes, hoping we could stroll right past them toward backstage.

“The same look you always get when you want something.”

“Oh, that look. Aye, I’m wearing that look.”

Walker grunted. “Good luck.”

“Do you know what I want?” I grinned.

“Everyone paying attention knows what you want.”

“Good.” I spotted the dad who’d flirted with Roe at the bake sale. “Then they’ll back the fuck off what’s mine.”

“You sound like a prick,” Walker said blandly. His expression, however, was fierce enough to cut a path through the parents.

I laughed. “Wait until you find a woman you can’t stop thinking about. You’ll turn into a prick too.”

“Never going to happen.” Suddenly, his eyes narrowed ahead of us near the doors to backstage. “Sloane.” His voice boomed, drawing even more stares our way.

The blond in question startled at his voice, and she turned toward us. Sloane offered a small smile, though her eyes darted away from Walker. “Hey.”

“Do you want in there to be with Callie?” Walk asked, reaching for the door to backstage.

“Oh, I don’t think I’m allowed inside.” She looked edgy. “But Callie was really nervous, and I feel bad I’m not with her.”

“Come on,” Walker urged. “We’ll take you in.”

“Are you certain?”

“Aye.”

She looked at me.

“If you being there will calm Callie, then you should be there.” I gestured for her to go ahead of us, and she smiled gratefully.

Backstage was a clamber of noise as the kids milled around in costume, laughing, shouting, and chasing one another. Adults moved around them, trying to get organized, while David practiced on the piano in the corner. Monroe told me they were starting with the upper school (our musical) and ending with the lower school who were performing The Nutcracker.

Red hair glinted under harsh lights, and I spotted Monroe talking with Callie. My heart beat faster upon seeing Monroe in her element, and I wondered if that would ever go away. Would there come a day when I could look at this woman without feeling my whole body vibrate with life?

Sloane hurried ahead of us to get to Callie, and Monroe seemed glad to see her. Then, as if sensing me, she tensed and turned slowly to look in my direction.

Our eyes held, and she gave me a slow, gorgeous smile.

Everything else stopped around us.

It was just Monroe. Smiling at me like I was all she wanted to see too.

My pulse thundered as my fingers itched, and a panic set in at the thought of her walking away from me one day.

Fuck, I was terrifyingly in love with this woman.





MONROE





I should’ve been in a great mood.

The musical had gone great. There were only a few lines flubbed, and the audience seemed to find it adorable, so we were good. The kids got a long-lasting standing ovation from the parents and were full of energy as we tried to hustle them as quickly as possible to the seats at the front of the audience, now vacated by the lower school.

Attempting to keep jazzed-up kids quiet through the nativity wasn’t easy, but everyone was in high spirits and feeling very Christmassy. It was a natural mood booster.

However, the plays ended, and the parents were offered teas and coffees with baked treats before they left. During this reception, mums (and several dads) accosted Brodan.

They touched his arm provocatively and smiled and batted their eyelashes up at him. I was irritated.

Now and then, he’d find my gaze and give me an apologetic smile, but he never removed himself from the situations, so clearly, he got off on all the flirting and attention. Or … or he was deliberately trying to make me jealous to force me to lose the bet.

Well, wasn’t that an awful thought?

Was I right to guard myself against this man? Or was I blowing the whole thing out of proportion? Why did he have the ability to twist me up inside like this?

I whirled around so I didn’t have to see it anymore and almost collided with Haydyn Barr. “Oh, apologies.”

He smiled down at me. “No need. I quite enjoy beautiful women running into me.”

Flushing at the compliment, I laughed nervously and glanced around. “Where’s Michael?”