Page 100 of Perfume Girl

Yes, Damien, you asshole.I held my tongue.

“Anyway,” he said, “I won’t take much of your time.”

I followed him out and wasn’t surprised when he didn’t hold the front door of the building open for me. He merely went on ahead and climbed into his silver BMW. I rounded the car and joined him in the passenger seat. Astor opened doors for me all the time and it was something I never took for granted.

My gaze roamed over what had once been our car, looking for Embry’s things. The lemon and lime scented air freshener that was clipped to the rearview mirror assaulted my senses.

“You ready for the hurricane?” asked Damien.

“Yes,” I lied.

“Good, that’s good.”

“Is this about the shop?” I snapped. “I know you want it sold. I’m doing everything I can to work with the realtor.” It was a bit of a lie. I was helping as much as delaying.

“Don’t get upset.” Damien looked uncomfortable.

“I have to go.”

He reached out and gripped my wrist. “This is important.”

I let out a frustrated sigh.

“Are you in a relationship with Astor Beauregard?”

Those kisses he’d witnessed at the polo match had hit the mark, apparently.

“We’re good friends.”

“Friends who fuck?” He held my gaze.

“That’s kind of private.”

“Look, I know what this sounds like but we have a history and it’s my job to watch out for you.”

Are you kidding me?

I didn’t say anything, though, just bit the inside of my cheek to hide my annoyance. I didn’t want to get into an argument. We’d already shared every bitter word we could think of and there was nothing left to say. More than anything I needed to stay focused because my own disaster was unfolding within those walls. I didn’t need Damien to complicate things more than they already were.

“I’m just gonna come out and say it.” He turned in his seat to face me. “Astor Beauregard’s a dangerous man.”

“You can’t be jealous,” I snapped.

“Of course, seeing you with someone else isn’t easy.”

My expression turned incredulous.

“This is coming out wrong.”

“It’s coming out just how you intended. Look, I have to go—”

“Embry’s dad was on the police force.”

I shot him an angry look. “What? Astor got a speeding ticket?”

“No, listen, we were talking about our store—”

“Our store?”