Page 62 of Empire State Enemies

I lift a brow, not expecting that 180. “What’s this, a play for my good graces, Lexi?”

“No. We’re way past that point,” she retorts, but her tone softens just a tad. “Just calling it as I see it. It was refreshing to witness some genuine charisma from you. I was beginning to think it was all just a hoax.”

A wry grin tugs my lips. “Would you look at that. A backhanded compliment, but I’ll take it.”

Lexi sighs. “I guess I just bring out your worst.” There’s a flicker of something in her eyes. “Everything okay with you, though?”

I frown, confused. “What do you mean?”

“You keep fidgeting. Do you have a headache or something?”

I shove my hands into my pockets, not liking one bit that she’s picked up on it. “Yeah, just a headache. It’ll pass.”

“I could grab you something from the pharmacy here,” she offers, those eyes of hers full of concern.

“I’m good.” The last thing I need is her playing nurse. “Don’t need anything, thanks.”

“Okay,” she says softly. “Sorry to make you do this with a headache.” She pauses. “You must really care about Willow to go through with it.”

My first instinct is a flippant remark, but I pause, holding her gaze. “I want to do right by her. Contrary to what you believe, Lexi, I’m a gentleman.”

Her eyes spark. “I can see that. To everyone but me, it seems.”

We stare at each other, the air suddenly charged between us.

“I’m not a soft touch,” I say finally, voice low. “You shouldn’t expect otherwise.”

The longer I stare into those big doll eyes of hers, framed by a heart-shaped face and those pouty lips, the more I realize how she managed to entrap me that night. I was too wasted then to notice her obvious beauty.

But after the stunt Lexi pulled, there’s no way in hell I’m letting her one-up me again. Being played for a fool isn’t something I take lightly. She may have some redeeming qualities, but they pale in comparison to the huge, ugly lie that stands between us.

Maybe I’ll fuck her once the guys have gathered enough evidence. Revel in telling her when I’m balls-deep that she’s busted.

Just as long as those doe eyes don’t stare into mine at the same time and make me question everything.

Not that it’s relevant right now anyway—I can’t do a damn thing with anyone while this charade with Willow is ongoing.

The standoff between us stretches, thick with tension, until her stomach decides to join the conversation with a roar loud enough to break the spell.

I debate poking fun but decide against riling her up more.

“How about lunch with me?” I find myself asking, the words out before I can think better of it.

“No, but thank you,” comes her immediate tight reply. It annoys me more than it should.

I’m about to push the issue when a cheery voice interrupts us from behind.

“Lexi!”

Lexi whirls around, her expression flipping to one of sheer panic. “I thought you were staying home this afternoon. We’ll catch up later, okay? I’m in the middle of something.”

Lexi shoots the younger girl, unmistakably Lexi’s sister, a desperateGet loststare.

I can’t help but smirk; this is going to be good.

“Hey there, Grace,” I say. “Nice to meet you. I’m Connor.”

Grace’s eyes light up with recognition. “Oh my god. I can’t believe I missed your talk. Are you, like, one of Lexi’s clients or something?” Her gaze darts back and forth between us, suspicion written all over her face.