Page 116 of Dance of Defiance

Christ, the fuck is wrong with me.

Val

I lose your interest over there?

Me

No. Sorry.

Me

Your place looks really nice.

Val

Thanks. It’s new. I’ve barely stocked the fridge, but it’s home.

The exchange goes silent for a few seconds, until…

Val

Come over and see it.

Val smirkswhen he opens the door. “Well, well, well…”

Fucking hell. Why does that sound like both a taunt and a come on?

Yes, I came over. I told myself it was his comment about not even having a stocked fridge. That I’m just…I dunno…a good neighbor or some shit.

“A friend”.

Right.

Because I always take a shower, shave, and try five different outfits before going over to myfriends’ places.

“Don’t read anything into it,” I grunt, pushing past him into the stunning apartment. I heft the grocery bags. “Just brought you some shit.”

“Aww, and they say chivalry is dead.”

I ignore the way his gaze sizzles over me as I look around the huge open space and head toward the kitchen area, built under a lofted living room. Val immediately starts pawing through the bags after I set them down. He grins as he holds up a package of tortillas, some shredded cheese, steak marinating in adobo, avocados…

“You brought me burrito fixings?!”

I grin, shrugging. “Burritos are awesome.”

“Agreed,” he nods, setting the food down and rifling through more bags. He gives me a look as he pulls out a large bottle of vodka.

I shrug again. “What? Didn’t know what you did and didn’t have.”

“Yes,” Val smirks. “Wouldn’t want to be without a bottle ofvodkato wash down my hardcore pain meds. That seems…safe.”

I roll my eyes. “I didn’t know if?—”

“You were worried I might not have booze at my house…”

My jaw grinds as I glance at him. “Something you want to say?”

He shrugs. “Plenty, but you won’t want to hear it.”