“Ooo, sangria sounds great,” Ellie said immediately, as Michael asked for a beer.

The sangria was more than great, it was probably the best sangria she’d ever had. White wine, with just a bit of fizz to it, with pieces of peaches, strawberries, and blueberries floating in it. Even the fruit fizzed when she bit into it, proving it had been soaking up the alcohol for quite a while already.

Leaning against Michael, joining in on the conversation, and laughing at the occasional catcalls and shouts which drifted up from the basement, Ellie relaxed - and ignored the little voice in the back of her head reminding her she wasn’t really Michael’s girlfriend and none of this was real.

Something was troubling Ellie, but Michael didn’t know what or how to fix it.

It had been nearly a month since their first ‘outing’ together at the zoo and sometimes he felt like things were two steps forward, one step back with her. Sometimes both steps back. Whenever they were together she would start to relax and be herself, and then she’d suddenly tense up and draw back a little. Not just from him, from everyone. Everyone just kept treating her the same until she relaxed again and everything would be fine until the next time.

Michael didn’t like to ignore an issue, but he wasn’t sure pointing it out would help. Especially since Ellie didn’t seem inclined to talk about it.

He just wanted to help her and wasn’t sure how.

Maybe there wasn’t anything he could do.

But he wished he at least knew what was wrong.

When Patrick finally came in with Lexie and Luke behind him, Ellie perked up again and Michael found himself fighting back jealousy. He knew she was just interested in meeting Luke because she’d heard Michael talking so much about him, but considering they weren’t officially dating he wasn’t feeling secure enough to be okay with her interest in another man. Especially one as good looking as Luke.

So Michael made sure to stand close beside her as he introduced her to Luke, one hand on her back.

The other man just smiled amiably, shaking her hand and letting go, completely normal and not at all flirtatious or even overly friendly. Smart man.

“Michael talks about you a lot.”

“Oh?” Ellie sounded surprised and almost fascinated, which just served to make Michael frown. Why would she be surprised?

“Of course I do,” he said, looking down at her. Luke had already moved on to shaking hands with Justin, but his blue eyes were on Olivia, who was sitting back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest, watching his every move. Michael ignored that for now, Patrick could deal with it. “Why wouldn’t I?”