Page 59 of Kiss of Deceit

“Profile me, Dani,” I repeated, my curiosity growing. “Tell me what you know.”

The frigid wind blew her hair as she stared at me in silence for a few moments before speaking. “You hate mess, or any kind of disorder, but it only seems to really bother you in your home. I don’t see the same reaction when you’re at the bar. I think you grew up with a parent—or parents—who didn’t clean.” She lowered her voice. “And not just a messy house, but a filthy one.The kind of home you never invited your friends to. Where you went to school and hated coming home because of how bad it was.”

My chest tightened, my heart pumping furiously as the past clouded my thoughts. I bit my tongue as memories flooded me. The stacked piles of trash in the living room. Moldy dishes overflowing in the sink. My bedroom that reeked of cigarette smoke no matter how much I kept the door shut and the window open. The nonstop noise of the people my mother always invited over.

“At first I thought it was a hoarding situation,” she continued, her voice soft. “But I was wrong. You like whiskey, but I’ve never seen you have more than two glasses. You don’t get drunk—because you grew up with an addict.”

Silence fell over us when she finished, the only noises were the whistling wind and the birds. I nearly regretted telling her to profile me. She was right about it all. But that was a long time ago, and I refused to let my shitty childhood play a part in my current life.

I forced a small grin. “Is that it?”

“You have a younger sibling.” She paused, studying me. “A sister, I think.”

“How in the hell did you guess that?” I asked, shock coursing through me. I hadn’t revealed anything for her to know about my sister.

“You’re a natural leader. Most eldest children are. People go to you when they need help, and no matter how much you act like a grumpy asshole, you still do whatever you can. That’s why Harry comes to you for everything. You respect women, meaning you most likely have one in your life who you love.” She glanced at the sky when snow began to fall. “I think you’re a good man, Kole. Someone with morals. You grew up in a life that could have walked you down a dark road. You chose not to.”

“Another thing we have in common. I don’t know exactly what you went through, but I know enough. You’re strong, Dani.”

My words had her eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn’t decipher before it was gone, and she let out a small laugh. Her hand left her pocket to rub the back of her neck.

“Don’t give me too much credit,” she mumbled, pushing off the bricks. “But we do agree on something. Neither of us enjoy talking about our past.” She began to trek through the snow again. “I’m going to be late for work.”

She dropped the conversation just like I expected when I brought up her past. When she opened up to me last night, I had a feeling it was the only time I would get a glimpse into her life. Even if she did share my bed again, that was all it would be.

“Kole.”

The voice came from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Adella exiting the café. She slipped a beanie over her curls before giving us a small wave as she walked closer.

“What are you doing awake?” she asked me. “I thought I was opening the bar today.”

I pursed my lips, feeling Dani’s stare on me. “I must have mixed up the schedule.”

Adella’s knowing smirk called me out on my bullshit, but she didn’t say a word. She sipped her coffee, her gaze darting to Dani.

“Going to work already?” she questioned. “I bet Harry hasn’t even rolled out of bed yet.”

“Natalie wanted me to come in early. She’s working at the clinic today, so it’ll be me and Harry carrying out the interviews.”

“Oh, that means it’ll just be you working.” Adella laughed. “Harry was at the bar long after you two went home last night.”

“I’ll see you two later,” Dani muttered, rushing away before I could get a word out.

I ran a hand through my hair, knocking off the snow. “Is there a reason you came out here to talk to me?”

Adella’s eyes flashed with mischief. “I can’t believe it.”

“Believe what?”

“You broke your own rule.” She playfully tsked. “Fucking an intern? And then walking her to work? Not only did you have sex with her, but youlikeher.”

“Adella,” I hissed, looking around to make sure no one was near us. “You have no idea what you’re fucking talking about.”

“No?” She cocked her head. “Don’t lie to me, Kole. We’ve been friends and coworkers far too long for that.”

I eyed the coffee in her hand. “What are you doing up anyway? The bar doesn’t open for another five hours.”

“Stop avoiding the subject.”