I didn’t want him near me back then, and I sure as hell don’t want him near me now.
“Look,” I say gently, “I actually have an appointment?—”
He cuts in, eyes looking at the SUV I stepped out of. “Nice ride.”
I swallow. The air suddenly feels thin.
“Oh. It’s not mine; mine is in the shop. They—work—gave me a loaner until it’s fixed.”
He takes another step forward, body angling to get a better view past me.
“‘They’?” he repeats. “Who’s ‘they’?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I say quickly. Too quickly. The windows are tinted; hopefully he can’t see Vadim inside.
His gaze sharpens. “Roxy. Who brought you here? That SUV is much too nice for?—”
Behind me, I hear the car door shut. Eric’s brows go slack as he stares over my shoulder. My heartbeat kicks faster. With a glance, I see Vadim is out and walking around to the passenger side to lean casually against the door, thumb looped into his holster.
Eric tilts his head. “That an Ursa Arcane vehicle?” He says it too casually.
My stomach drops.
I can’t tell if he knows what that means or if he’s guessing, but either way I need this conversation to end.
“It’s work business,” I say. “Really, Eric, I have to?—”
He lifts a hand, holding it just inches from my arm.
“I’m just asking. Damn. No need to get defensive.”
The shiver that races up my spine is cold enough to bite. He used to say that. Back when I tried to break up with him the first time.Don’t get defensive, Roxy. I’m just talking.
Back when I didn’t understand the difference between charm and manipulation.
“I’m not being defensive,” I say carefully. “I’m trying to get to my appointment.”
He studies my face longer than he should. Something dark flickers in his expression. “You look nervous.”
I force a breath. “I’m late.”
Eric’s smile lifts again, but it’s wrong. Off. The kind of smile someone gives when they’re imagining something you can’t see.
“Well,” he says lightly, “maybe we’ll catch up sometime.”
“I don’t think so.”
The words slip out before I can soften them. His smile wavers.
I don’t care.
He reaches for me—hesitating, maybe deciding against touching me—but the movement is enough to make my stomach twist. Time to anchor the exit.
“I have to go,” I say again, already stepping away. “Take care, Eric.”
His eyes narrow just slightly. “You too, Roxy.”
I turn on my heel, heart pounding, and head straight for the attorney’s building. Vadim is a shadow behind me, silent but unsettlingly attentive.
