Derrick stiffened, but I patted his leg under the table. When he slanted his eyes toward me, I gave him a small smile. I didn’t need him getting into it with these guys over a stupid comment. Even if the thought that he’d defend me to his friends sent a certain thrill through my system.

I wrinkled my nose at the Viking. “Luckily, your opinion doesn’t matter.”

He tilted his head as if to say we’ll see.

I didn’t think the others had been paying attention, but the tallest one laughed and shoved Derrick’s shoulder, nodding his chin in my direction. “Who’s your sassy friend, D? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

He sent me a quick questioning glance, and my heart turned over with a slow thud. Derrick was checking to see if I wanted to be introduced. I was in so much trouble.

I held my hand out to the tall one. “I’m Nadia. Nice to meet you.”

A smile burst over his face like an eager puppy, and his giant hand swallowed mine. “Adam Mackenzie. Everyone calls me Mac. These guys behind me are Noah Olsen, protector extraordinaire, and Parker Shaw, the heir apparent.” The human wall and the pretty one behind him gave me waves, and he released my hand to jerk his thumb at the player I knew. “That asshole is Soren Brehm. We don’t claim him, but he refuses to get the hint.”

Soren scoffed and shoved Mac, who barely shifted. “He’s just jealous he can’t get his legs to move as fast as his mouth.”

The guys all laughed and threw in their own insults. I smiled, but the jokes mostly went over my head. Movement behind Mac caught my attention, so I leaned over, nearly ending up in Derrick’s lap before I could see the tiny blonde glaring at the wall of guys. I righted myself, and Derrick draped an arm across my back, keeping me pressed against his side.

“Adam Emmanuel Mackenzie. Move your gigantic ass out of the way. Some of us who aren’t six foot fifteen want to meet the new girl.” She had a faint southern accent and the shortest shorts I’d ever seen.

“Sorry.” Mac spun and lifted her with ease, setting her down in front of him.

She slapped at his hands until he let go of her waist. “What did I say about grabbing? Ask before you touch.”

He grinned at her, unrepentant. “That’s not what you said last night, Wildcat.”

She rolled her eyes and graced me with a warm smile. “Don’t listen to him. Last night, I needed a spotter for a new stunt I’m working on. I’m Eva, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to see another girl over here.”

“Nadia. I’m a friend of Derrick’s.”

Soren piped up. “Technically, she knew me first.”