“Age?” His voice was a low grumble.
I checked his finger. No ring. Not that it mattered…
Wait. “What was that?”
“How old are you?” Mr. Muscles asked, his voice clipped. “Also, I need you to delete whatever information you collected tonight.” He gestured toward my phone.
My forehead wrinkled. “What?”
“Now,” he said firmly, holding out his hand.
Okay, hot and rude!
I smiled smugly and dropped the phone into my purse. Not happening.
Mr. Muscles raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. He didn’t move. He just stood there, a Greek god statue brought to life. “Were you aware you needed to be over fifty to attend any of these events?” His facial expression was cold.
“You’re one to talk.” I shot right back, planting my hand on my hip.
He dipped his head condescending, arms folded over his perfect chest. I wondered if he ever popped a button that way.
“You need to leave. Now.”
I had planned on leaving, but now I didn’t want this guy to tell me what to do. Then GC2 walked up and stood beside him, and those creepy vibes reached out for me again.I was not messing with that guy.
Fine.
I sighed and turned to get Mom when a large firm hand dropped on my shoulder. “Not that way,” Mr. Muscles rumbled.
I scoffed, shaking off his grip—my shoulder still feeling warm from where his touch had been. Annoying.
“As owner of this establishment,” he practically growled, “and as part of my contract with Kismet Silvers,” he nodded to Darian Cole, “no one under the age of fifty is allowed at theseevents.” His eyebrow slowly raised. “There have been problems with gold diggers before.”
Gross.
“What?” I squeaked. “I am not a gold digger!”
“Your notes and complaints tonight would say otherwise.” The arrogant man cleared his throat. “Now, would you like for me to send for security? Because I can.”
Please, like it would take more than him to muscle me out of here.
I was so annoyed. The entire room stared at me, and I felt the anger and embarrassment of the attention burning my face.
“That won’t be necessary.” I added in my fakest sugary tone and stepped away from him. “I’m leaving.”
A hand grabbed my arm at my side, and I jumped to see Mom standing beside me.
“We’re both leaving.” Mom glared at the man, obviously not intimidated by his size. She wrapped her arm through my elbow.
The man stepped to the side, motioning for us to continue. Mr. Cole grabbed onto Muscles and began whisper-yelling something to him.
“You better fix my phone,” she chastised me under her breath as we walked toward the exit.
What a horrible man! If I never saw him again, it would still be too soon.
Chapter Five
Mom “corrected”me for an hour on how it wasn’t my place to trick her into dating, and how important honesty was between us. I agreed to cancel her Kismet Silvers account, and I got on the next day to do just that. But…I accidentally clicked the events tab, and the next week’s activity felt too serendipitous. It was a night about world travel. There were dance lessons, raffles for tons of things, including a trip to Spain, classes to make noodles… If anything screamed happiness for my mother, it was this.
