Page 12 of Dirty Hearts

“The now. Trust me. I don’t think it’ll be a good look for you if you keep going on like this. At least make contact. It’s for business.”

Business.

Dante got up, and Gio followed. Both looked back at me before they left. Leaving me to my thoughts.

I pulled in a deep breath. Ava enquiring about the lease on the property was indeed business. I knew that. It was simple, and I could treat her like any other business deal. I could pretend until it killed me if I wanted to.

It was just that I feared what I’d do if I did more than just watch from the shadows.

I feared that I’d want more.

The guys were right though. Was I seriously going to allow her to pay out all that money,andto me?

That wouldn’t be right.

Not when I already owed her so much.

Chapter 3

Ava

* * *

“Okay, talk. Why did you just turn him down?” Kelly asked. Her dark brown eyes held that air of suspicion that told me she was going to go off on one of her rants. “John’s a nice guy. We like nice guys, and it was a bonus that he’s super hot.”

I stifled a groan and rested my pen down in the center of my notebook.

Leaning across our think table, I gave her a pointed stare. “I told you he was full of himself.”

“Like how?” her perfectly arched brows snapped together and she pushed the collection of herbs and exotic peppers we’d laid out to the side.

The combo created an unusual aroma in our little office tickling my nose in a very good way.

“Malaguetas and basil, we should try that.” I beamed really wanting to change the subject of John.

We’d been in here for hours writing recipes for the restaurant anniversary week. This was our creativity office where we came up with all sorts of recipes. Close to the kitchen and separate from our own office we shared, so we could have access to whatever food items we needed. I’d gotten here from eight this morning to find Kelly already up to her elbows with all manner of vegetables and spices. It was night now and we really hadn’t done all that much. I’d taken John’s call to turn down my date with him. Kelly heard me. I should have taken the call outside.

“Malaguetas and basil are a crazy, sexy combo,” I added when she pursed her lips together.

“Ava, for God’s sake woman. Don’t you dare try to change the subject. Tell me, how was John full of himself.”

“He just was.”

“He was sweet and caring, nurturing. So what if he talked a little bit more than the average person about his accomplishments? Normal people do that. It’s okay to do that if you’ve just been promoted to senior partner in one of the biggest law firms in Chicago.” She waved her long spoon at me like it was a wand and she was about to cast some spell. Then she shook it for effect at the end of her speech.

I slumped my shoulders and leaned against the metal back on the stool.

I hated when people were right. It meant I couldn’t argue or find some retort that would get me off the hook.

I hated it even more when said people was my best friend. Kelly knew me and knew what I was like. She knew I was behaving irrationally in turning down a man like John. The kind of man who would be good for me.

“There was no chemistry.” I frowned.

She tilted her head to the side and regarded me quizzically. “Did you give him a chance to make that happen?”

“Chemistry doesn’t work that way. It happens instantly. Like adding garlic to food. Or basil to sauce. Or that dash of parmesan to pasta. There’s an instant reaction.”

“Must you always do that? Food isn’t everything.”