Page 45

Story: Anti-Hero

“Flynn,” I growl.
He just grins. “Are you two still working? I can wait out in the hallway while you finish up.”
The comment is for Collins’s benefit, not mine. Flynn has never worried about interrupting me a day in his life.
“Oh, no. We’re all set.” Collins smiles sweetly. “I wouldn’t want to keep Kit fromVegas.”
My jaw’s clenched so tight that it aches. I was hoping she’d missed that mention.
“Exactly right,” Flynn says, entirely missing the edge to her tone. “It’s going to be an epic weekend. I’d invite you to join us, but the plane’s full.”
“No worries. I’ve got plans this weekend.”
A muscle in my jaw actually pops, sending a stab of pain down myneck. I glare at Flynn, and he finally gets the message.
He hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll be in the hallway. Nice to see you again, Collins.”
“You too,” she replies, chipper as could be.
I stand stock-still, waiting for the door to shut.
“So, you’re going to Vegas for the weekend,” she states.
Only part of the weekend. I’m flying back in time for Lili’s dinner tomorrow. But I doubt that’s a clarification Collins cares about, so I don’t mention it. “Yeah, I am.”
“Fun.” She nods toward the report I’m holding. “Don’t lose that at a strip club, okay? It took me an hour to arrange all the sections.”
I lift an eyebrow. She almost sounds … jealous?
“There are other things to do in Vegas than go to strip clubs,” I say.
“Uh-huh. It’s really known for itsrespectableestablishments.”
I shake my head, letting a smile slip through. “Does it bother you that I’m going to Vegas?”
Collins scoffs. “Of course not.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You play with your hair when you lie,” I say softly. But loudly enough that she hears.
I watch her shoulders stiffen as the comment registers.
“If that’s all, Mr. Kensington?—”
“Wow. We’ve backslid straight toMr. Kensington? You’re not even going to try calling me Christopher first?”
Collins scowls. “Have a safe flight. I should go. I have plans tonight.”
“Yeah, I know you have plans tonight.”
And those plans are a large part of why I agreed when Flynn suggested this guys’ trip, honestly. I wanted a distraction.
She stares at me for a few more seconds, then turns to leave.
Panic swells in my chest, making it impossible to breathe and forcing forbidden words out. “Don’t sleep with him, okay? Just … don’t.”
Collins glances over her shoulder. I’m expecting anger, but her expression is serious as she tells me, “You don’t get a say in that either, Kit.”
Then she’s gone.

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