She’s fallen for Brad’s lies. She’s fallen for yours once already. Why not make that twice?
Why not make heryours?
“Yulian?”
I snap back to reality. “What’s that?”
“I asked if you wanted some.”
I blink and realize she’s holding a tower of pancakes now. Round, golden, perfect.
“No.” I shake my head. “Just coffee.”
“Thought so.” Mia gives a knowing grin. “You’re the black coffee and bacon strips type of guy, minus the bacon.”
“Bacon is bad for your heart.”
“All the best things are bad for your heart.” She bites into a pancake, held between two dainty fingers. “Doesn’t mean they’re not worth it.”
Her words stick into me long after we’ve sat down to eat.
I’m not the type to hesitate. Never been. In my line of work, hesitation gets you killed or worse.
But right now, I’m hesitating. I can feel my old programming pushing me to claim Mia in every way that matters. To disregard her wishes for space and break through her flimsy walls.
But for some reason, part of me doesn’t want to do that. It’s resisting—refusing.
It’s the first time that’s happened to me.
“—lian?”
“What?”
“Are you sure you’re awake?” It’s Eli’s voice, scolding me. “You’re spacing out like craaazy. Do you want some of my meds?”
“Eli, what did we say?” Mia cuts in with her Mom Tone.
Her son pouts. “Ritalin isn’t candy,” he mumbles.
“Good boy. Now, go brush your teeth. We’re leaving in ten.”
Eli jumps down from his stool. Once he’s out of sight, Mia reaches for his plate. For a split second, her hand brushes mine.
She blushes, but quickly ducks away to hide it. “He’s not wrong,” she mumbles from the sink. “Youareacting weird.”
“I’m fine.”
“I know you’ve got a lot on your mind. I just wanted to make sure this wasn’t… you know…” her cheeks color harder. “About last night. I know I said I needed space, and I still do, but I don’t want you to think that?—”
“Your email.”
She blinks. “What?”
“I was thinking I haven’t read your email yet. The one with your findings on Brad. I’ll do it today at the office.”
“Oh!” Her pupils do something weird then: they shrink. “Th-that’s alright. I didn’t actually send it. Sorry, I should’ve told you.”
I frown. “I thought you wanted to find blackmail as soon as possible.”
