Page 69 of The Plus One

“I don’t care about the money,” Sierra said. “I care that my reception turned into a boxing match.”

“I’m sorry.”

She looked toward the door where security had taken Kel. “He grabbed her?”

“Yes,” Kema answered.

Sierra’s expression softened slightly, but she was still pissed. “I’m going to deal with him tomorrow.”

“You don’t need to,” I said.

Her eyes snapped toward me. “You’ve done enough dealing with people for one night.”

I nodded because she wasn’t wrong. Stephen placed his hand against her back. “Come on. Let’s give everybody a few minutes and restart the music.”

Sierra looked at Kema. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’ll check on you later.”

They walked away to speak with the coordinator. Kema and I stood alone in the middle of the mess. “You mad at me?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Understandable.”

“But I’m also not.”

“That makes sense.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“It does to me.”

Kema tried to hide her smile and failed. I reached for her hand. “Come outside with me.”

She let me lead her onto the terrace. The music eventually started again behind us, but the mood had changed. I could hear people talking about the fight, and I knew Sierra’s reception would never be remembered without somebody mentioning it.

I felt like an asshole for that. Kema leaned against the railing. “You and Markel are really done.”

“We been done.”

“Because of me.”

“Because of him.”

She looked at me. “You were friends for years.”

“And he knew better.”

“Ace.”

I stepped in front of her. “I’m not saying I handled tonight right. I should’ve walked away at the bar. But when he grabbed you, I didn’t see anything except his hand on your arm.” Her expression softened.

“I’m sorry it happened here,” I continued. “I’m sorry Sierra and Stephen got dragged into it. But I’m not sorry I protected you.”

“I don’t need you fighting every man who touches me.”