I Saved Him, I Saved Her (Book 2 of Saving Series)

Chapter 11- Katie

I took a deep breath and followed my crush to wherever we were going. My hold on his hand was tight, and I was surprised that he didn't complain.

"Are you sure that it isn't anything I should worry about?" Daniel asked, looking down at me. Worry filled his eyes, and I couldn't help but wonder why he was worried about me. He should know that I wasn't anything special, even though I did feel special when I was with him. "You are holding my hand rather tight."

I was about to let go of his hand when he stopped me. I felt guilty for hurting him because I knew that I sometimes was stronger than I looked.

"You don't have to let go," he said, squeezing my hand, reassuring me that it was fine. He looked down at me and smiled. "I like it."

A blush appeared on my face, but I kept my hand in his. I knew that he, the male that I called "father," saw my hand in his, and I hoped that it wouldn't lead to his death.

Daniel was too kind for me and the troubled past I had. He wouldn't understand the world that I ran from, and I knew it might be best for me to leave. But... for once, I wanted to be selfish and stay, even though I knew it could lead him and his family to get hurt by the hands of the unknown.

Daniel squeezed my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. He was standing in front of me, his other hand on my shoulder as if he had been shaking me. "Are you sure you are all right?" he asked, his brows creasing in concern. "I mean, we can always go back to the house if you aren't."

I hesitated but nodded. 'Yes,' I said. 'I am fine. We don't have to go back.' I offered him a reassuring smile, but I could tell that he didn't believe it.

Daniel frowned, and I could tell that he didn't believe me. However, he was going to with what I was saying, and I couldn't help but be grateful. "Come on," he said. "We have a seat in the back away from everyone." He gently pulled me to the table he was talking about and held the seat out for me.

I smiled at him and sat, watching as he pushed me in and then sat across from me. I was falling for him, and I knew that my "father" would use him against me. I prayed to whoever was out there that he would be safe because I didn't want to stop this good feeling.

For the first time, I truly felt like I belonged somewhere, and I couldn't help but feel... wanted.

***

"Hey, Daniel," a pretty brunette said, coming over to the table. She took a pencil from behind her ear and smiled at him. "How is your mother today?"

Daniel looked up at her and smiled, and a small twinge of jealousy filled my heart. "She is doing good. She is fussing over the baby, even though she isn't born yet."

The female nodded her head and turned her gaze to me. A... flirtatious smile appeared on her face, and I frowned in confusion. "Hey, Sug," she said winking. "How are you doing? My name is Hailey, and I will be your server today. What would you like to drink?"

I looked at her with wide eyes before turning to look at Daniel. I had no idea what to think, but I think she was flirting with me.

"How is your girlfriend?" Daniel asked, signing as he did so.

"Good," she replied, signing back. She glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. "Mute or Deaf?"

'Mute,' I replied. I licked my lips and looked down, wondering why she knew sign language. If she knew Aunt Jess, then I was sure that she had taught her, but... could there be a different reason?

"My sister is deaf," Haley said. "She wasn't born deaf, but she had been in... an accident that caused her to lose her hearing."

I bit my lip and offered her a small smile, and she smiled back.

Hailey cleared her throat. "Are you ready to order or do you want to look over the menu while I get your drinks?"

I shook my head. 'I'll have what Daniel is having,' I said, and she nodded. 'Please.'

Hailey looked at Daniel and smirked. "You better make it quick," she said teasingly. "She is quite the eye candy."

"Goodbye, Hailey," Daniel said, a warning tone in his voice. He gave her a look, and she ducked her head in what appeared to be submission.

Hailey snickered and winked at me, keeping a close eye on Daniel. "You got quite the man there," she said, her voice a bit above a whisper. "His bark is worse than his bite, to be honest." She leaned a bit closer to me. "Between you and me, he is still a virgin. You will be his first for everything."

"Hailey!" Daniel exclaimed, and she laughed and walked away. He shook his head and smiled after her before looking at me with a... different smile. "You'll get used to her," he said. "She lives in the same community as us."

'I like her,' I said. And, surprisingly, I did. I liked her more than I should have, but I guess I was starting to open up. A bit more.

I just hope that it wouldn't bite me in the ass...