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I pulled out my card and waved it in response. “Paying, obviously.”

“But I-”

“I invited you,” I interrupted, handing the waiter my card. “Remember?”

She went silent, confusion scrawled across her face.

I thanked the waiter and we walked out, Hayden walking a pace behind me.

“Thank you,” she said to me once we stepped out onto the sidewalk.

I looked at her, wondering how many times she’d been given the chance to say those words when she was usually on the giving end.

I smiled wide. “You’re welcome.”

“Oh my God, you are so whipped.”

I glared at Nikkie, who rifled through my kitchen in search of snacks. As usual.

“I paid for the lunch thatIinvited her to,” I explained for what must have been the fourth time. “How does that make me whipped?”

“She’s a billionaire, sweetie,” Nikkie said, as if I needed a reminder. “And you’re working two jobs to pay for your mom’s medical bills,which, might I add, you won’t let me help with either.”

“Because it’s my responsibility.” I groaned. “You know I hate owing people anything. If I can do it myself, I will.”

“And you’re going to single handedly prove to this ridiculously wealthy goddess of a woman that she’s worth loving, yeah, I know.”

“So, what’s the issue?”

“No one’s ever done that for me.” She pouted.

The brief flare of irritation died before it had even reached my lips. “Aw, Nikkie,” I cooed, pulling her out of the pantry and hugging her tight. “You’re such a sweet little thing.”

She mumbled something unintelligible against my shoulder and I laughed.

“You’ll get something even better, okay?” I promised her, knowing that whoever caught Nikkie’s eye would be divine incarnate. “You’ll see.”

“Whatever, go be all lovey dovey with your boss,” she mumbled.

A pang of fear sounded through me, because I realized my crush had very quickly turned into something far more serious. And there might not be a way out.

Chapter twenty-eight

The Unexpected

Hayden

“There’sanewshowI’m working at next week,” Vinny said, his cheek pressed to the hollow of my bare stomach.

I ran absent fingers through his thick hair, my thoughts straying far away. “Where is it?” I asked vacantly, replying on autopilot.

“It’s in Italy,” he mumbled, his voice deep and rough with sleep. “I’m going to visit my sister while I’m there.”

“That sounds lovely.”

“Mm, it’s been a long while since I last saw her. I wonder if she’ll recognize me.”

“Of course she will,” I told him, my fingernails lightly scratching his scalp. He groaned in response, almost purring under my touch. “It’s not like you’ve been away for years.”