“What the hell is wrong with you?” Keiran growled.

Sean’s head swung his way, looking him up and down. “Just kidding around with an old friend, don’t see how that’s your business.”

“Friend?” Keiran scoffed. “You’re not friends. Pretty sure your joke would still be shitty even if you’d been friends.”

“It’s fine.” Her voice sounded small.

God, she hated that. So much for Sean not affecting her. And it wasn’t fine. She should tell his ass off, but she was too aware of the other guests. Too aware of the last time she’d melted down over his ass. Too aware of her mother’s voice warning about appearances and causing a scene. Granted, she’d had a right to get pissed off, but the gossip after? She could have done without. So, she’d been hyperaware ever since then about not getting caught up in bacchanal. She should just walk away.

“It’s not fine! This asshole doesn’t get talk to you like that.” Keiran’s voice drew looks. Awesome. More gossip fodder.

“So, you her bodyguard now?” Sean moved into Keiran’s space, their chests almost touching. “You’ve been holding out on us, Keiran. That why you’ve been acting like a little bitch all this time? Didn’t you just make some shitty joke about her not too long ago?”

Cherisse frowned. What did Sean mean about Keiran acting like a bitch? It made no sense. Keiran’s jaw clenched, and his hand landed on Sean’s chest and shoved him back. “Not someone who got time to deal with your punk ass.”

Shit. She’d never seen Keiran like this. Lips twisted, stance broadcasting he was ready to rumble if needed. This wouldn’t end well.

“Listen, it’s fine. Just leave it—” she tried, but neither of them was paying her any attention now.

“You put your fucking hands on me, man?” Sean said loudly. “Daddy dearest isn’t going to like that.” Heads turned their way, murmurs growing louder. Wouldn’t be long before someone started recording all this on their phone. None of them needed this to escalate into them becoming some social media meme.

“Apologize, and we’re good,” Keiran snarled.

“Nah, is a joke. Relax, hoss.” Sean brushed Keiran off and turned to Cherisse. “Might wanna tell your guard dog to stand down...what the fuck!”

Keiran had a fistful of Sean’s shirt, which prompted Sean to shove Keiran back into the cake table. Shit! The cupcakes toppled off of the tower, rolling across the table, some falling right off the edge to the floor, as Keiran’s back slammed into it. Hard.

“Stop!” Cherisse cried. They were too busy grappling to listen. She looked around at the stunned faces, and fuuuuck, there were already phones being held up to capture everything.

“Jesus Christ, just stop, dammit!” It was a bad move the minute she stepped closer, tried to pry Keiran away. Should have known the minute Sean started spewing something about “pussy” and “sweet” that it would take a turn for the worse, but her flaming cheeks weren’t enough to dissuade her from trying. Keiran’s back was to her, and his arm reared back to either shove Sean or punch him. Shit. She stepped back quickly, letting his arm go, completely forgetting the table was at her back until she crashed into it.