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“No need to apologize.” He leans down, pressing his lips to my head. “We were meant to be together, to merge our two families in the creation of a new one. An almond dynasty in the heart of Oakville.”

“Excuse me.” The deep voice startles both of us. “I’m cutting in.”

Gray stands at my shoulder, glaring down at my dance partner, or should I say my pet octopus, with angry eyes.

“You may not.” Ralph straightens, finally giving me room to breathe. Still, he clutches my hand and waist. “This isn’t that kind of dance.”

“They’re all that kind of dance, now beat it, Stern.” Gray reaches for me, but I step away from both of them.

“I’m tired of dancing.” No lie. I’m tired of being in Ralph’s arms, and there’s no way I can jump back into Gray’s. I’m tired of playing games. “Thank you for a lovely evening, Ralph. I’ll leave my share of the check on the table.”

Shaking my hands, I walk off the dance floor to where my purse hangs on the back of my chair. I’ve just found my wallet when Gray appears at my side.

“Here.” He tosses a few twenties on the table and tries to take my arm.

I pull away again. “You’re not paying for my dinner with Ralph.” I try to scoop up the twenties and give them back to him, but he slips the money from my fingers and puts it on the table again.

“We need to talk.”

“I can’t talk to you right now.” My insides are all twisted up, and my head is buzzing.

The prospect of dancing with him, of him holding me in his arms made the entire world tilt, and it’s not fair after the way he’s been acting since returning to Oakville. He’s hot one minute then distant and pushing me away the next. I’m through getting whiplash.

“Where are you going? You can’t drive.”

“I’m perfectly fine to drive.” I’ve only had one margarita. I didn’t even touch the second.

We’re outside the restaurant now, walking toward the boardwalk th

at extends over the lake. He’s following me, more like walking right beside me. Tension rolls off him in waves, and I’m wondering if he’ll seriously try and take my keys.

“Why are you here, Gray?” I spin around to face him. It’s a huge mistake. His blue eyes are so intense. God, please don’t let me cry in front of him.

“I was worried about the car. Those tires are old, and the transmission could go out at any moment.”

“I don’t believe you.” My arms cross over my waist, like I’m hugging myself, holding me together. “You’d have never let me drive it off the lot.”

This is a bad idea. I shouldn’t be here alone with him. I need to go to the lake house and go to bed.

He shrugs. “I also wanted to be sure Ralph didn’t get too… handsy.”

“I met Ralph tonight because we can’t be together anymore. You’re no good for me. Remember?” The words are like acid on my tongue, but they’re his words. He needs to hear them again and decide if they’re true.

His brow tightens, and he looks down. “I remember.”

A drop of rain hits my cheek, and I wipe it away angrily. “How dare you come back here, acting like there’s nothing between us, then get jealous because I’m on a date?”

“I don’t like you putting yourself in danger.”

I’ve had enough. “I’m not doing this,” I say, pushing past him. “I’m leaving.”

He catches my arm. “Not yet.”

“Stop it.” I’m losing my fight against the tears. “You left me. I was right here, and you left like you forgot all about us.”

He moves in closer, heat in his tone. “I remember every detail of us.”

“Prove it.”