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I freeze as I’m enveloped in a floral scent that almost steals my breath.

“Patsy,” I say, looking up to see a past date appear next to our table. “It’s been a while.”

“Too long.” She pouts, annoying me as she continues to ignore the fact I’m with someone.

“Patsy, this is my girlfriend, April,” I say, feeling a little agitated by her brazen disregard for the woman who is sitting opposite me.

Patsy turns and gives April a dismissive nod. April bites her lip, although her eyes sharpen when Patsy’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder.

“You haven’t returned my calls,” she says, brushing the material of my shirt as if removing a piece of flint.

I remove her hand, dropping it.

“No,” I say. A coldness slips into my tone, her rudeness beginning to grate on my nerves. I look over her shoulder. “I think your date is waiting for you,” I say, giving her an emptysmile.

She flicks her head.

“He can wait,” she says. “I’ve missed you.”

She reaches for me again. This time, I stand up and move away.

“I’m trying not to be rude,” I say, working hard to keep my cool. I only ever went on one date with this woman. I didn’t even stay the night. She gave stalker vibes even then. How did I end up with her being here of all nights?

She turns and gives April the once over.

“What’s she got that I don’t?” she asks.

Her over-painted lips pout even more, her eyes fill with tears.

What the hell?

April stands up, matching Patsy in height.

“I think you need to go back to your date. Show some self-respect.” April’s eyes don’t leave hers. They stand, their eyes locked until Patsy flicks her professional blow out and walks away.

“That would be… everything,” I say as we take our seats.

April turns to me, her brows raised.

“She asked what you have that she doesn’t? It sounds corny, but everything.” I shrug.

April can’t keep the smile from her lips. “That really is corny. But I’ll go with it.”

I return her smile.

“So, is this what it will be like every time we go out for dinner? Your exes invading our space?” she asks, biting her cheek as she straightens her knife and then fork.

“Heaven forbid,” I say, cringing.

Damn, this is not how I wanted this evening to go. I don’t need reminders of my playboy past being brought up at every move.

April’s hand comes across the table to rest on mine.

“Hey, it’s okay. We both have a past. We just need to work out how we can navigate a future without it blowing up in our faces.” Her expression is serious. “If it’s not Sir Leonard, it will be some other creep. If we come out as a couple, then it won’t matter. The press will do all the digging. I can just see the headlines now.The City’s Most Eligible Playboy Falls For Merryfellows Stripper.”

She’s not wrong. The press are a law unto themselves.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” I say. “Sir Leonard has been quiet, but that does not mean he’ll remain that way, even with the threat of exposure Elijah has hanging over him. It’s also true that a lot of the men who frequent Merryfellows are old and entitled pricks. But they don’t scare me. Most would want their association with that place kept quiet. It’s why you had to sign the NDA when you worked there.” I squeeze her hand. “As for the press—I love you, and I’m proud of you.”