Jace glanced back at Kayden. “Why do you assume I did something?”
“Because that is the face of a woman who’s about to unleash hell on you.” He clenched Jace’s shoulder again. “Good luck. Looks like you’re gonna need it.”
“You’re just gonna leave me?”
Kayden was already walking away. “Yep.”
Chickenshit.
Elle stopped in front of him, slamming her fists onto her hips. “Why?Whydid you do it?”
“Give me a hint of what we’re talking about here, Tink.” Acting innocent felt safe right now.
“Don’t play dumb with me.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “You texted Art from my phone, telling him I wasn’t interested!”
“You’re not.”
Her jaw dropped, and if possible, the red of her cheeks darkened further. Damn, she was gorgeous when she was mad.
“You son of a bitch,” she gasped. “You don’t get to tell me who I am and am not interested in. Who I date isnoneof your business. It wasn’t fifteen years ago, and it isn’t now!”
“But that’s where I disagree. You have always andwillalways be my business. And when I say you deserve better than some guy namedArt, I’m serious.”
Anger darkened her eyes. “You infuriate me! You know that? You’re a…a…”
“Charmer? Comedian? God-given gift to women?”
“A jerk! You’re ajerk. It was bad enough that you scared off any guy who tried to date me in high school. Now you’re an adult andstilldoing it. Do notevermeddle in my dating life again.” She spun around and started back toward the visitors center.
He caught up to her in a few strides. “Come on, don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad.”
He almost laughed, or maybe he did, because he got an angry glare pointed his way. “Really? Because you look mad.”
“No. I just don’t like you.”
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Tink—”
“And don’t call me that. My name is Elle—use it.”
“You’ve always been Tink to me. And I think you like it.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You do.”
She stopped and spun. “Stop it! Stop presuming to know me so well.”
“Idoknow you.”
“Youusedto. Not anymore.”
“Really?” He stepped closer, catching the sharp intake of her breath. “So a ring of black doesn’t surround your irises when you get angry? Cola skulls aren’t your favorite candy, and youhaven’t watched every episode ofThe Officeat least twenty times?”
