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“Good round, Lukas,” she said in my ear, then sprung up, knocking my hands out of the way. They were on the way to her hips, and if I got my hands on her the day would be going in a much different direction.

But she stood, nudging the practice sticks toward me with her foot before stomping toward the door.

“Daphne,” I called, but she ignored me.

Her anger was almost visceral. And was clearly powerful enough to distract her from the issue at hand. Distract us both.

Because she was right. She’d missed four blocks, which was four more than she’devermissed. I would deal with her anger, but I would not, for even a second, entertain a threat to her health.

I wouldn't let anything take her from me. Not while I was still this angry.

Chapter 14

Daphne

Lukas could wait a second. His knocking was growing more insistent, headed towardI’m going to break down this doorterritory with each passing moment.

That was my move.

The sounds of metal clinking and drawers slamming made it clear I was inside. But he couldwaitbecause I couldn’t find my fucking blush.

Unless it grew legs and walked away it was in one of these drawers because I’d just used it the day before.

I was still irritated from this morning. Training with Lukas used to be one of my favorite things.

The nostalgia fucking hurt. Especially when Lukas just had to go and remind me why I left in the first place.

“Daphne, open the door," Lukas tried again, knocking more forcefully.

“Just come in!” I half-screamed, my frustration kicking my voice a decibel higher than I’d intended.

I heard the door open and Lukas step in, but I couldn’t look at him yet.

“Daphne, we need to—”

Lukas stopped short, cut off by the scene in front of him.

I’d all but destroyed my vanity, taking everything out of it in search of that one little compact of rosy pink powder. I needed it to finish my makeup before dinner.

“What?” I asked, looking up at him from where I was seated, cross-legged on the floor and rummaging through a small pile of products.

Lukas blinked at me a few times, like he was trying to remember why he even knocked on my door in the first place. “We need to um…Eleni had a few suggestions.”

An important conversation. “I’m not done getting ready.”

Lukas didn’t miss a beat. “You look beautiful. We need to talk about this.”

The only thing that could interrupt a reaction to that statement was the anxious flutter in my chest. “I’m not done. I need to find my blush and I still need to find an outfit and fix my hair.”

Lukas settled into a wide stance, crossing his arms over his chest. “And how long will that take?”

“I don’t know!” I threw my hands up in frustration, accidentally launching a compact in the air. Lukas stepped forward and caught it in one smooth motion.

“It’s probably better to talk before your parents get here.”

“I know that,” I said through clenched teeth. “But I can’t get ready in timeandhave that conversation.”

I couldn’t explain it to Lukas, to anyone really, why it was so important that I took more care with my appearance for this dinner.