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“Thanks.” I hang up before slowing to a complete stop in the middle of the street.

No matter what beacon of hope tries to shine right now, I can already feel it in my bones that Weird Michelle was telling the truth.

* * *

Eventually, I make it to the pathway leading to my front porch, trying not to let a million emotions spill over into too muchpassion.

Stomp, stomp, stomp.

Both phone calls upset my Sunday morning plans, but there’s no point in getting worked up, yet. Mimi means well and Rocco might be wrong, or at the very least, exaggerating.

Stomp, stomp, stomp.

“Having a bad day?”

I whip my head up with a start and my vision fills with sweat-soaked, tattooed muscles. Anthony’s broad, lean body fills the doorway, his arm leaning against the frame as he wipes his hands on a cloth. A small, unsure smile plagues the corners of his mouth.

The dark cloud hanging over my head dissipates. “What?”

Anthony juts his chin towards me. “You stomped up that pathway like it screwed you over.”

“If this pathway had screwed me over, it’d be getting a lot worse than a few angry steps.”

His lips curve upwards. “Nice to see you again, Red.”

I cock my head, an inexplicable energy simmering in my chest. “And you, Dr Bonetti. At my home, no less.”

Anthony chuckles. “Man, I really did a number on you, didn’t I?”

“Oh, yes. You’ve cured me of all my trauma with your ground-breaking insights. What do I owe you for your invaluable time?”

“That’s why I’m here. To collect payment for my services.”

My cheeks flush at the insinuation in his tone. “Payment?”

Anthony’s fleeting gaze dips to the rest of my body. “Feel like caving, Red?”

Yes.“Never. What are you doing in my house?”

Right on cue, Hazel pops her head around Anthony’s shoulder. “Hey Kali, did Anthony tell you he’s making me a new desk?” She gives me a big smile. “How good is it knowing carpenters? I’ve set him up in the garage. Once he’s done, I thought we could clear it out and use it for its main purpose. You know, parking our cars in there instead of storing our junk.” Hazel’s phone buzzes in her hand and she steps away as quickly as she arrived.

I turn back to Anthony. “How long is this desk going to take?”

He screws his face up in thought. “You mean, how long am I going to hang around your house, shirtless and irresistible? Not sure. Could be weeks. Could be tough on you.”

I step up onto the porch and lean into Anthony, who holds his ground in the doorway. “Two can play at that game. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

We hold each other’s gaze, daring the other to move first. Before I can overthink it, I run a finger down the sweat glistening on the right side of his chest. I glance at him through my eyelashes as my finger gently trails all the way down to his waistline. Without breaking my gaze, I slowly lift my whole finger into my mouth and suck back to the tip.

Pure victory sings in my chest as Anthony swallows, his gaze darkening as he watches me lick my lips, relishing the taste of salt and sawdust andhimon my tongue.

I make to move past him, but he drops an arm across the frame. Our faces are inches apart and his warm, minty breath trails into my nostrils. My stomach tightens as my eyes are drawn to his, his blue iris’s hypnotising as he stares down at me.

“It’s good to see you again,Kali.” The way he utters my name sends a volt of electricity through my body.

“I wish I could say the same,” I lie. My eyes flicker to Anthony’s full lips, his white teeth peeking out from behind a small, sexy smile.

I push past him, so I don’t cave.