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My breaths become shallow at the sudden change in the atmosphere. It’s unpredictable. Stark coldness to fiery, heated passion which sucks oxygen out of my lungs.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he repeats. Despite the rage coursing through my vein’s, his insistence on sticking around doesn’t annoy me. It brings me comfort.

“You’re going to insist on being a pain in my ass, aren’t you?” I whisper. “Take the hint, Bonetti. I don’t need anyone rescuing me or protecting me.”

He narrows his eyes at me, assessing. “Why are you fighting this?”

“What?”

“I mean, at first, I thought it was funny and you were messing with me as much as I’m messing with you, but … you’rereallyfighting this.”

Anthony peers down at me, the blue in his eyes darkening. He’s so close to me I can smell his minty breath. “What are you so afraid of?”

My mouth opens and closes, and a strangled chortling sound comes from the back of my throat. But that’s about as far as I get.

“I’m not afraid of anything,” I croak out.

“Your lies don’t fool me, Red.” Anthony’s gaze darts to my mouth. It would be so easy to reach up and kiss him.

“Sorry, am I interrupting something?” Nathan stands in the large entrance, sweeping his gaze between the two of us.

The wordnoshrills from my mouth right as Anthony growlsyes.We look at each other again and Anthony’s nostrils flare.

I give Nathan my brightest smile. “Not at all, Nathan. How can I help?”

“I wanted to … confirm tonight with you.” He flashes a smug smile at Anthony.

My stomach drops. The date. I’d forgotten all about it. After the way Anthony had bailed me against the wall and brought me food when he came to help, I had every intention of cancelling. But it completely slipped my mind after Anthony stormed out of here last weekend.

“We’re definitely still on,” I reply.

Tension rolls off Anthony in thick waves. He cracks his knuckles by squeezing his fists together and I look at him, momentarily guilt-ridden at the fleeting look of vulnerability on his face.

“Let me give you guys some privacy,” Anthony growls, as he rolls his broad shoulders back and walks past Nathan, distaste evident on his face.

“Don’t mind him, he’s got the emotional intelligence of a twelve-year-old,” I dismiss. As the words leave my mouth, I wish I could suck them back in.

Nathan chortles. “Understood. The dinner reservation is for seven. Should I pick you up at six-thirty? Gives us time for a drink beforehand.”

“Sure. I’ll text you my address.”

Nathan beams at me. “Great. Can’t wait.”

“Me too.”

The words sound empty in my ears, but Nathan seems pleased as he smiles down at me.

Your lies don’t fool me, Red.

I don’t think they’re fooling me either.

16

KALI

Nathan is handsome,with that pretty boy-next-door look going on. Soft blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes that twinkle when I laugh at his jokes. He’s a naturally, charismatic storyteller and he’s been doing his best to make me laugh and capture my attention since we got here, but I’m not interested. Is this what happens when you start a business? You don’t have the energy or care to date?

I can bullshit my way in or out of anything and I’m doing it now. My lack of interest has nothing to do with the fact that I’m setting up my own business. It’s because I can’t get that sexy, tattooed menace out of my brain for longer than a minute.