Page 190 of Empire State Enemies

“Awww.”

I crack a smile. “But I’ll come visit you that weekend. There’s discounted train tickets. I’m due to meet Kayla too. So we can hang out during the day, and I’ll see Kayla in the evening.”

God. I’m not looking forward to sharing Grace’s bed. She’ll be snoring those champagne bubbles back out, no doubt. She’s such a bad snorer; gets it from Dad. Thank god I got the non-snoring gene from Mom.

And she’s a kicker. But I sure as hell am not splurging on a hotel. I’d rather risk bruises than pay those exorbitant New York prices.

“Okay.” Grace perks up.

My stomach does a weird flip. I’m heading back to the city for the first time in months, and I’m buzzing about it. I’ve missed it, strangely enough.

But then there’s this gnawing feeling.

The nights Connor has invaded my thoughts, despite how hard I tried to drive him out with a mental pitchfork, I’d wonder what he was doing. Where he was.

When I’m in the city next, I’ll have a pin on his exact location.

I swallow the lump in my throat. Well, at least I know exactly where to avoid.

Connor

I stand in front of the full-length mirror trying to get my bow tie straight, but my eyes keep getting drawn back to her silhouette framed by the city lights.

She’s a vision in that tight black leather dress that clings to every curve, her dark waves falling over her bare shoulders in a way that sends a sharp pang right through me.

She catches me staring in the reflection. She turns and gives me this hesitant, knowing smile. “Everything okay?” she asks softly.

I jerk my gaze away, fumbling with the tie again, trying to get my head on straight. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just gonna be a long night of small talk.”

I watch her move from the window, those deep blue eyes looking concerned. She stops right by me. “I don’t mind coming with you to the staff party, for support,” she offers.

I turn to her, letting out a rough chuckle. “Thanks, but between all the meet-and-greets, I won’t get two seconds with you. It’ll be me doing the rounds for hours with the staff. You’d be bored out of your mind.”

The Quinn & Wolfe ball is starting in thirty, meaning I’m in for four hours of nothing but chitchat with the staff. Which is great for me, but not a guest I bring. Even Clodagh knows better not to expect any one-on-one time with Killian tonight.

She steps closer and reaches up to straighten my bow tie. “You sure you’re all right? You seem distracted,” she murmurs, searching my face.

I clear my throat. “Just beat.”

“Oh Connor.” She smiles sadly at me as she finishes my bowtie. “I can see your loneliness, even when you try so hard to bury it behind that charming grin. I know you well. It’s okay to need people sometimes.”

Before I can object, her lips are on mine, soft but insistent. Her hands slide around my neck, pulling me closer.

I tense up, totally thrown. I clench my jaw, holding her wrists gently to stop her. “Clarissa, wait.” I let out a harsh breath. “Damn. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, but I don’t feel that way about you.”

Her eyebrows shoot up, all surprise and confusion. “Oh god, did I misread everything?” She laughs, but it’s strained, and she’s blushing from embarrassment. “This is mortifying.”

I tilt her chin up firmly, forcing eye contact. “Hey. Don’t go there. You’re fucking incredible, Clarissa. Brilliant, gorgeous, the whole package. You gotta know how much I value our friendship. But I’m not in the market for romance. Not at all right now.”

She studies my face, searching. “Not interested in general? Or just not with me?”

I give her an apologetic smile, feeling like a jerk. “General disinterest in romance these days.”

“Connor, I’ve felt your eyes on me all night.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to. It’s that dress.” I swallow hard. “You remind me of someone.” I step back, releasing a heavy sigh.

She holds my gaze, then offers a melancholic smile. “I thought I was good at reading signals. Guess I missed the mark this time.”