Page 54 of His Little Angel
“I have more money than I’ll ever need,” he says, like he’s explaining the weather. “I could buy a private jet every day for years and not feel it. I’ve earned time off. And I want to spend it with you.”
I swallow. “You still can’t terrorize Veronica or dump all the work on her.”
I’ve grown protective of her. Poor thing is just trying to do her job.
“She didn’t do anything,” I add quickly. “She’s doing her job.”
He exhales through his nose. “Fine.”
“Fine…?” I press.
“I’ll try to limit my anger issues at the office,” he says. “I promised you. I don’t break promises.”
“Usually that would be a huge ask,” he adds quietly, “but with your taste still on my lips, it’s become much easier.”
After that conversation, we end up getting pancakes from my favorite café. Enzo looks violently out of place in the humble space. Black coat. A watch worth more than the café’s monthly rent. Eyes that track every movement like he’s mapping exits.
Then I hear my name.
“Mila?”
Luke.
“Hey,” he says. “How are you?”
He completely ignores the man sitting beside me. I force myself to introduce them—the man I went on one date with, and the man who is absolutely not happy about it.
“Hi, Luke. How are you? This is Enzo,” I say quickly. “Enzo, Luke. You two got off on the wrong foot—”
Luke extends his hand first, signaling he’s ready to leave the past behind.
Enzo doesn’t take it. Instead, he drags my chair closer to his. An absolute caveman.
Luke’s smile falters. “Uh—sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“She’s taken,” Enzo says.
“I was just saying hello.”
“You’ve said it,” Enzo replies. “Now leave.”
“I’m so sorry, Luke,” I mumble, not knowing what else to say. I can’t help but feel like I strung him along when I always knew I was Enzo’s.
Luke’s ears go red. “It was nice seeing you, Mila.”
He leaves quickly. I can tell he’s not only given up on the prospect of dating me—he doesn’t want a friendship either.
I grab my bag and stand.
Enzo slaps cash onto the counter without looking. Too much. Always too much. Then he follows me out like a shadow that doesn’t know how to behave in daylight.
Outside, I spin on him.
“What the hell was that?”
He tilts his head. “Why are you angry?”
“You chased him off!”