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He flashes an unrepentant smile. “You all right?”

“I’m not sure.” Dragging a hand through my wild hair, I look around. “There aren’t any security cameras up here, are there?”

“No.”

Walking in a wide arc so I’m out of reach, I go to the glass of water he poured me earlier and drink half of it. “Who’s Pauly Mangia?”

His brows rise. “Why?”

“I had dinner with my sister at Mamma Mia’s. We saw him. She said you and he aren’t friends.”

“She’s right. Did he try to talk to you?”

“No.”

His gaze isn’t casual or sexy and flirtatious now. It’s intent. “Did anything happen that worried you, Laurel?”

My eyes dart to his. It’s like he can read my mind. “I thought maybe someone was following me after I left the restaurant. I don’t know that it was him. I think he was still at his table when we left, but in the restaurant he seemed to be watching us.”

“Is that why you came to Slattery’s? So you’d be safe? And where’s Monet now?”

“She’s fine. She’s at home. And no. I actually went to the police station. That’s when I think the car left.”

“What did the police say?”

“Nothing. I didn’t go in. I just went to the parking lot. I’m probably just being paranoid.”

He’s silent.

“Right?”

“I’m not gonna speculate. If you think someone’s following you, call me right then so I can sort it out. Are you staying the weekend in Coynston?”

I had been planning to, but I shake my head. At the moment, Coynston doesn’t feel safe for a bunch of reasons, not the least of which is that I can’t trust myself to stay away from him or him to behave when we’re together.

“But you’re staying the night?”

“Yes, at my parents’ house.”

“You should stay with me instead. Call them and let them know.”

“It’s not a good idea.”

“Why’s that?” His deep blue gaze is fixed on my face.

Running a hand through my hair again, I look away. “A lot of things are complicated right now.”

He picks up his drink and dumps it in the sink. “Things will be simple if you stay the night with me.”

I smile down at my sling-backs. “Simple for you maybe.”

Trick walks over and takes my chin in his hand, tipping my head up so our eyes meet. “If you’re scared of other people, stay with me so I can protect you. If you’re scared of me, we can lay some ground rules for the night.”

“Just for the night, huh?”

The flash of a smile is there and then gone. “I’m still waiting for a kiss.”

“You kissed me several times.”