Grateful that Ulrich was already gone, Nova rounded the building to the side door and unlocked it. Within a few minutes, she was upstairs and ensconced in her apartment.
When she opened the box, Nova smiled. Not only did she get a healthy portion of scallops and greens, in a separate compartment was a roll and a small container. When she lifted the lid, she saw it was the buttered pecan bread pudding. Something Torin often made and that Nova usually avoided because it was impossible for her to eat just a single serving of it. If she let herself have it, she would have to eat at least two bowls of it.
An hour later, she’d finished the meal and the extra glass of wine. She was lying on the couch, staring up at the ceiling, something she’d been doing a lot lately, it seemed.
Her stomach was pleasantly full but still felt tight.
The date had been a mistake, and not just because of how Ulrich behaved. It had been a mistake because she didn’t want to date anyone else. She wanted to date Torin. Not just date, but to do more.
The more she got to know him, the more she wanted to know.
When the knock came at the door, somehow, she knew it was him.
Nova got up from the couch and walked to the door.
Sure enough, when she opened it, Torin stood on the other side.
And he looked pissed as hell.
ChapterEleven
Torin shouldn’t be here.
He knew it.
But it didn’t matter because he couldn’t stay away.
When the door opened to reveal Nova, anger gripped him, hard.
Before he could think better of it, he said, “What kind of fucking game are you playing with me?”
Her head jerked back as though he’d slapped her.
“Excuse me?” she said. Her tone said the exact opposite of her words.
“Just a few days ago, you’re kissing me in a cooler like you can’t get enough of me and tonight you’re out on a fucking date? At my fucking restaurant? I’m not much of a gameplayer, but I can recognize a game when I see one.”
Her mouth dropped open before she shut it with a sharp snap. Nova took a step forward until she was nearly in his face. Torin realized this was the first time he’d ever seen her truly angry. Usually, Nova had an uncanny ability to deal with people and their foibles, to let things just roll off her back.
Except tonight, it seemed.
He’d been looking out the kitchen door when she’d told off the asshole she’d been on the date with. She had been angry then.
Just like she was angry now.
“I had no clue we were coming to your restaurant for dinner. I met him for a drink, had already decided that there was no chemistry, but thought he might be a good friend. When he suggested we grab dinner, I agreed, not thinking for a second he would take me to Gallagher’s. Needless to say, he showed his true colors and the date ended poorly. I wasn’t trying to play any games with you, I was trying to move on!”
“Move on?” Torin asked. His voice had deepened, taking on the growling edge it did when he was in danger of losing control.
“Yes!” she shouted. “It’s clear to everyone that we’re not a good fit.”
“Everyone?” he asked. “Who is everyone? I had the impression that the only people whose opinion mattered about us were you and me.”
Nova made a frustrated sound and whirled around to pace just inside her doorway, her arms crossed over her chest. “Everyone meaning Addie saw us kissing and now she thinks I’m going to break your heart. And she’s right. I will.”
Nova turned to pace back the other direction and nearly slammed right into Torin.
“Don’t you think it’s up to me to make the decision if I want to take the risk?” he asked, his hands holding her arms.
