Page 37

That’s a sad truth. His art is what drew my attention. He didn’t have much else to offer that was good.

“Did you miss the part where I saidhe’s obsessed with you? You basically shit glitter to him. Show him the love, Adds. Don’t hold back.”

I cringe over the visual he just forced on me. I’ll never look at happy glitter the same way again.

Poe comes in looking more upset than before.

“They won’t. The company has been waiting for this model to be available, and it’s his only opening. They said if I bail out, that’s it for me with that company. There are a lot of SoT members there who will leave if they fire me. I’m so damn sorry, siren.”

I bounce out of my chair and jog over to wrap my arms around him.

“It means more to me that you tried than anything,cher. Thank you. Don’t push too hard because I’m pouting. That’s no way to make money. I’m crazy for you, but I like you well-fed too.”

“I’ve got your back, Poe,” Damon says from behind me. “I’ll get her into girlfriend shape in no time. She’s giving you an example of my tutoring.”

“Like you’d know what that is,” I snap back as Poe’s arms go around me.

“Better than you,” Damon smirks.

“At least I’m leaving you with a life coach,” Poe says dryly.

I slap his thigh without much force. I’m snuggled in his arms for a few minutes before an idea comes to me.

“Take Racer,” I lean back with a grin. “That way, I’ll be with you even when I’m not.”

His expression eases from grumpy defeat to a subtle smile. “That’s an idea. Maybe I should take it with me everywhere.”

“Since you’ve taken it hostage, you have a responsibility,” I assure him with a grim nod. “You can’t leave it at home alone. Who knows how many walls it’s chewed through by now?”

Poe finally grins at me, his arms tightening.

I make a quick list of demands. Things he can do without me that will make him happy. “I expect some sightseeing. Maybe a zoo. I’ll need proof, too. Send me some pictures so I don’t pout too much.”

“I can do that,” he gives me a gentle kiss that becomes heated quickly.

Damon has to break us apart by loudly coughing right next to us.

I ignore him to grin at Poe’s flushed face. The glare he’s giving Damon should hit him like lightning.

“We’ll be ok,cher.”

His smile falters, and he glances away. “Can I take you to lunch? I want to talk to you for a minute.”

I’d be afraid of that sentence if he weren’t clutching the back of my shirt as if he were trying to keep me from running.

I glance at Damon, who nods, shooing us away.

I take him to the diner where Ash and I always meet. Poe stays quiet and thoughtful until our drinks are served. His silence is broken by a single, muttered sentence.

“I’m messed up.”

I take a big swallow of soda before I respond. “Me too. Show me yours, and I’ll show you mine.”

His eyes trap me, freezing me in place. The dread there startles me. It makes my hand move to take his on the table. Before I can ask what’s wrong, he starts talking.

“I have a problem with leaving you for so long. I know it’s fucked up, but I’m terrified you’ll use my absence as a reason to walk away.”

Holy shit. He’s just as crazy as I am.