Page 47 of Dangerous Men (Fortune City Mafia #1)

SYDNEY

Kids are fun. I really do mean that.

But I’d be lying if I said watching four kids systematically dismantle our children’s section—pulling nearly every book out of the cubbies and upending two different toy displays—didn’t make me just a little relieved that I don’t have any of my own.

The dad who brought them in had been sincerely apologetic for their behavior, rushing along behind them to clean up as best he could. And he had bought each of his kids a book and a toy, more than making up for the chaos they’d brought to our store for the twenty minutes they’d been there.

It’s still a relief when they finally leave.

I’ve just finished restoring the children’s section to its former condition when my phone buzzes. I fish it out of my pocket and feel an instant tightening in my chest when I see Katie’s name flashing on the display. Shit.

I’m not sure I have the energy to deal with her right now.

I debate just ignoring it and letting it go to voicemail, but I need to make more of an effort with my other friends.

Unless I really do plan on running off to the woods with Jade, leaving humanity behind like we always joked, I probably shouldn’t just ignore everyone else in my life.

I’ve had a lot of time to think about my friendships since running into the group at the club all those weeks ago.

To think about why it’s been so hard to maintain that friendship group.

Jade has always been more than just a friend—she’s been my only family for a long time now.

When everyone else has come and gone, she’s been my constant.

I’ve always had to try so hard to fit in with everyone besides her.

It feels like I’m constantly wearing a mask, trying to be the person I want them to see me as.

Maybe it’s how I grew up, never having a settled childhood.

Feeling like one mistake will take everything from me again.

I love my friends, but there’s always been an undercurrent of not feeling fully accepted by them.

Not feeling like they really know the real me.

I’ve known Jade since I was a kid, but I only met Katie and her group of friends when I was in college.

And they never really made me feel like I could be myself, never really felt safe the way I suspect real friends should.

I’ll never forget how many jokes they made over the years about my English degree being a waste of money.

And despite everyone’s best efforts to get along, they never really “got” Jade, with her crazy hair and piercings.

They certainly never thought us opening a shop together was a good idea, making veiled passive-aggressive comments thinly disguised as concern about how difficult it was to succeed with a small business.

The only thing in my life they ever seemed to approve of was Chase. And we all know how that turned out.

The phone in my hand continues to vibrate, and against my better judgment, I answer with a hesitant, “Hello?”

“Oh my god, Sydney! I’m so, so glad you picked up!” Katie’s voice is so cheerful and loud through the speaker that it leaves my ears ringing .

“Hey, yeah, of course!” I force out, trying to match her chipper tone. “What’s up, Katie?”

“So! We’re having a little get together at my place tomorrow. A barbecue, just like we used to do, and we’d just all love to have you actually join us this time.”

I wince at the accusation behind her words, holding the phone between my shoulder and my ear so I can keep shelving the last of the books while she talks. Maybe I shouldn’t have picked up, after all.

“Please, Sydney? We never get to see you anymore,” she adds before I can even form a response.

“Um. Sure. I’d love to go to your barbecue,” I lie.

Right now, I’d rather shave my head and go running down the city streets naked and covered in syrup than attend one of their get-togethers.

“But Saturday is our busiest day. I can’t ask Jade to cover the shop all on her own, that’s not fair to her. ”

She would do it, of course, without hesitation. And I have no doubt she’d handle it just fine. But why should I make her do it, just to go to some barbecue they suddenly insist I attend last-minute? They usually plan these things weeks in advance.

Why are they only inviting me now ?

“Then just close the shop for a few hours,” Katie suggests, and I have to gnash my teeth together to keep from snapping at her. “It’s not like you have that many customers, anyway. I doubt anyone would even notice.”

We have plenty of customers, I want to scream. Even now, on a weekday morning, we’re practically full.

Though, that is a little unusual, isn't it? In fact… now that I’m thinking about it, we have been a lot busier lately. I make a mental note to take stock of our inventory sooner than usual this month, to make sure we’re not running low on any of our popular items.

“I can’t just close the shop whenever I feel like it,” I explain. “This is my business. It’s my responsibility, and I’m committed to it.”

She sighs dramatically, and I shrink back into myself.

Amazing how she can make a long-suffering sigh convey so much disappointment and frustration.

But then again, Katie always was the little leader of our group, always able to bend everyone to her will.

Knowing that all of us will just fall in line.

“If you don’t want to see us”—she sniffs—“I wish you would just say so . You don’t need to make up all these excuses.”

Guilt pools in my belly.

“I do want to see you,” I lie again. It feels like lies are coming a lot easier to me lately. “It’s just…”

“Then you’ll be here! 12:30 tomorrow, okay? And don’t worry, Chase isn’t coming. He’s out of town on some work thing.”

Her tone makes it clear that any more arguing is pointless. And while it is a relief knowing there’s no risk of running into my ex again, I can’t help but feel like I was just manipulated into agreeing to something I don’t want to do.

Gritting my teeth, I force myself to ask, “Do you want me to bring anything?” I barely listen as she rattles off her answer.

I’m in a foul mood when she finally hangs up.

I wonder what Jade would say if I asked her to block Katie’s number, too. Maybe I should do it. Cut them all off, completely.

Letting out a long breath, I straighten, brushing dust from my legs as I stand up.

When a hand unexpectedly slides over my back and hooks around me, I panic. For one terrifying moment, I think it must be Chase again.

But when I look up and see those soft blue eyes and warm smile, I relax, all thoughts of Chase and Katie and the rest of them vanishing in an instant .

“Good morning, Babygirl.” Ash grins at me. He leans down to plant a kiss on my cheek. “How’s this beautiful day treating you?”

I open my mouth to answer, another lie forming on my lips as I prepare to tell him how great I’m doing. But before I can, Ash pulls a single red rose from behind his back and presents it to me.

I laugh, a little shocked by the gesture, but more thrilled than anything. I love roses. There’s something just so inherently romantic about them. I take it from him and tuck it under my nose and inhale, savoring the sweet floral scent.

Some florists buy their roses from growers who prioritize beauty over scent—preferring the picturesque look of a rose in full bloom to one that has the distinctive smell. But to me there’s something special about the smell of a rose.

And this one? Wherever Ash bought it from, it smells perfect .

“God, you’re beautiful,” Ash adds, watching me. He raises his phone, wriggling it at me. “May I?”

I wave him off, laughing, but Ashton quickly snaps a photo of me.

“Look at you!” he says, grinning. He pulls me close again, showing me the photo on his phone screen. And, I suppose, I look nice. My smile is genuine, and the rose is stunning.

I look like a woman in love.

Blushing, I look away from the image of my face on the screen, twirling the stem absentmindedly between my fingers.

“ Ouch!” I suck a sharp breath through my teeth, almost dropping the flower.

A thorn. I stare down at the bright red droplet of blood forming on the pad of my thumb. The stem is covered in them.

“Don’t they normally remove the thorns before they sell them?” I ask Ash. I stick the wound in my mouth, sucking away the blood.

“Yeah, sometimes,” Ash says with a shrug, sounding unconcerned. “I guess they forgot with this one.”

“I guess,” I say, unsure. I handle the rose more cautiously now, careful of all those tiny barbs.

“It’s a weird practice, don’t you think?” Ash comments, scratching the back of his head and watching me a little too closely. “Taking off the thorns, I mean. Maybe it’s just me, but…”

“But?” I press.

“I don’t know. Maybe the danger is part of what makes them so beautiful.” He grins. “Maybe to really appreciate them, you need to endure a little pain. Don’t you think?”

I laugh, rolling my eyes at him.

“That’s certainly poetic,” I tell him.

His answering smile is contagious, and despite the pain in my thumb, I can’t help but smile back at him.

“Well, you sure are in a good mood, aren’t you?” I tease.

“Of course I am,” he says. “Because I’m going to ask you on a date. And you’re going to say yes.”

“Oh, I am, am I?” I say, a playful lilt to my voice.

He nods enthusiastically. “You are. It’s destiny. We’re meant to be.”

I laugh, giving him a little shove to push him back from me. There’s no world where I’m strong enough to move him, but he steps back anyway, giving me space.

“And what sort of date did you have in mind?”

“Lunch? Tomorrow?” He’s so excited, I almost say yes without thinking. But…

Crap.

I shake my head sadly, watching his smile wilt .

“Sorry, Ash, my friends are hosting this stupid event tomorrow.” I sigh. “They literally just called to invite me.”

Ash’s waning smile turns into a frown. “They just called? To invite you to an event that’s happening tomorrow? That’s a bit short notice, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, things have been a bit…strained,” I tell him.

I let him follow me to the front of the store, where Jade is making a latte.

I grab an empty mug from the counter and set my rose inside.

The stem has so many thorns, it’s a miracle I only pricked myself once.

“I’m trying to fix things with them. Which is why I really do need to go. ”

“Okay, so… tomorrow’s a no-go,” Ash concedes, perking right back up. “Maybe… Monday, instead? We could get dinner after you finish work?”

I smile.

“Sure. Dinner on Monday sounds great,” I tell him. “Maybe takeout again?”

Jade is watching us, her eyebrow raised as she looks between Ash and me.

“Takeout again , huh?” she asks, smirking.

Double crap.

I haven’t exactly been keeping Jade abreast of this whole… situation.

“Jade, can you do me a massive favor?” I ask, putting on my best begging face. It’s nothing compared to the sad kitten eyes she’s capable of, but I do my best.

“Sure, anything,” Jade says, barely appreciating how well I can plead. She deftly pours milk over the espresso and passes the cup to a waiting customer.

“I need you to cover for me tomorrow afternoon, for a few hours,” I say.

“Alec taking you out again?” she asks, glancing at Ash as though ready to measure his reaction .

Ashton answers for me.

“Nah, he took her out a few nights ago,” he says, all smiles and confidence. “Now it’s my turn.”

I shoot him a look.

“It’s Katie,” I tell Jade. “She’s having another barbecue, or something, and totally guilt-tripped me into going.”

“Ah,” Jade sighs. “Katie’s back, huh? Can’t live with her, can’t change your entire identity and pretend you never met her. But sure, no problem. I’m sure the silent doctor and I can hold down the fort on our own.”

I laugh, but when I look over at Sebastian’s table, I’m surprised to find it empty. For the first time since he started showing up, he’s nowhere in sight.

“Wait… where is Seb?” I ask Ash, frowning.

Something flickers in his eyes before he answers, so fast I could almost convince myself I hadn’t seen it.

“Helping Alec with a work project,” he tells me, a little too quickly. “Nothing important.”

Ash spends the next hour trailing me around the store, chatting and flirting and helping me while I take stock of our inventory. I flirt back—it’s easy with him—but it doesn’t quell the apprehension I feel slowly growing in my gut.

Because, whatever his reasons, I’m pretty sure Ash just lied to me.