That was why he’d always been able to mess with her—because he’d known she’d mess back with him as hard. His parents had raised him to protect those who were weaker than him, but he’d never—not once—seen Catie as that.

“I know I’m the lucky one here,” he said, the truth spilling out of him in the busy chaos of the restaurant. “I’m never going to take it for granted.”

Veni’s expression thawed. “Hmm, I guess you might be acceptable.”

Grinning even as his heart thundered at what he’d just admitted to himself, he said, “Pass the sweet-and-sour pork please.”

Catie, who’d ended up seated across from him, raised an eyebrow when he next met her eyes. He winked to tell her all was well and that he hadn’t broken under Veni’s interrogation. The slightest shake of her head, a sparkle in her eye, and yeah, his heart really hadn’t gotten the memo about this being a quick burn.

Rubbing the heel of his hand over the organ in the aftermath, he got up to visit the restroom. He was in the process of washing his hands when Ward entered the spacious area. Which was why Danny wasn’t sure why the man had to come stand next to him at the sink.

“Is it serious, you and Catie?”

Danny was not up for a heart-to-heart with Catie’s douche of an ex. “You’re in front of the paper towels.”

Stepping back, Ward watched him pull towels out of the dispenser. “You know you’ll never understand her like I do.” His eyes held a hard shine. “You have no idea what we go through.”

Danny wanted to snort at the arrogance of the man saying “we.” As if Ward was in the same league as Catie. But Danny had grown up in rugby—and sad to say, there were always a few assholes who thought that being physical off the field meant something. So he didn’t snort.

Instead, he threw his used paper towels in the trash and put more space between them, then said, “Oh hey, I think someone’s trying to get in the door behind you” and slipped out when Ward moved.

“No feeding the fuckwits,” he muttered under his breath after he was out of earshot; his brothers had taught him long ago that while a burst of anger might feel good in the minute, it just led to a mess in the aftermath—and it gave the instigator control.

Yeah, no, Danny wasn’t about to dance to Dickwad’s tune.

Catie shot him a worried look when he slipped back into his seat, and he knew she’d clocked the fact that Ward had gone into the restrooms after him. He waited to make sure no one else was looking, then crossed his eyes at her.