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Was that Philip James? Was he about to kiss her?

Michael saw red

His rip on his arms drew him up short

"Easy, man"

Before Philip’s lips could touch hers, Stella turned her face away and took a step back She pulled her hand out of his grasp, saying words that couldn’t be heard from this distance but were clearly rejection

Instead of taking it like a lint in his eyes

"Okay, he’s asking for it," Quan said

Quan let hio, and Michael crossed the street without consciously taking a single step If there were cars in the way, he didn’t notice theh them for all he knew Before the bastard could touch his dirty lips to Stella’s side-turned face, Michael yanked him away and slaered back, Michael drew a stunned Stella into his arhtness settled in place The feel of her, the smell of her, his

"Are you okay?" he whispered

She blinked at him in bemusement "Did you really just punch him in the eye?"

"That little shit was about to force hiain No one forces you Ever"

Philip lowered the hand froer in Michael’s direction "We’re on a date There was no forcing involved"

Stella pushed away from Michael and adjusted the purse straps on her shoulder "I’ht"

"Stella, wait" Philip tried to follow her, but Michael stepped in his way

"You heard her She’s going hoht press the issue, Quan ca loose at his sides, but he was poised for violence, his eyes cold "Do we have a problem here?"

Philip took in the barricade formed by Michael and Quan and backed off His mouth worked like he wanted to speak, but in the end, he clenched his jaw shut, glanced longingly in Stella’s retreating direction, and left

Michael squeezed Quan’s shoulder "Thanks"

Quan’s lips quirked, and he tipped his head toward Stella "You should go check up on her"

"Get a table I’ll find you there"

He ran after Stella and fell in step beside her, but instead of slowing down, she increased her pace, keeping her gaze focused straight ahead

"I had the situation under control Don’t forget I own a Taser"

Her abruptness and iuard and irritated the shit out of hi other people It hadn’t even been thole weeks

"Couldn’t wait to test your new skills out, I see"

She grasped at her purse straps and walked even faster The sidewalk ended, and her heels clicked over asphalt as she marched down the now-residential street toward her house

"If you wanted to sleep with hi You should have let him kiss you Why didn’t you? Nerves?"

"Go away, Michael"

"I want to knohy you didn’t kiss him He’s what you want Isn’t he?"

She froze in her tracks Her chest worked on rapid breaths as she stared to the side "Why are you followingto me? I don’t kno to deal with this I don’t kno I’m supposed to act or what I’ht they were that, at least

She ht, her eyes looked watery and vulnerable "We’re friends?"

"I hope so"