I switched to Plan B, which involved tucking a small, undetectable tracking device beneath the rear bumper of her aging Volvo. After leaving the school, she swung by her houseto change and drove to Amalfi’s Italian Diner. Not a place for a woman dining alone.
A date was the only real possibility, and the realization shot an unexpected jolt of possessiveness through me.
Problematic yet undeniable.
So, once more, I adapted.
I rescued her from the imbecile, and now I intend to soak in her warmth as I loosen her up.
With each sip of wine, the tension in her shoulders eases. I’ve got to give Greg some credit for that. She was using the alcohol as a coping mechanism when I entered the restaurant.
“This wine is excellent.”
“Better than whatever you were drinking before?”
She laughs. “Anything would be. I think he ordered the cheapest bottle on the menu.”
“Criminal.” The disrespect rankles. Even I know better than to skimp on a first date, and I don’t date. If you’re going to do a thing, do it properly.
“So.” She sets down her glass. “You scared away my date. Now what? What’s your endgame here, Kolya?”
Her directness startles me. Most people don’t confront me so openly.
I find that I like it. “Maybe I just wanted your company.”
She snorts. “You barely know me.”
“I know enough.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “I know you care too much about your students. I know you have terrible taste in men. I know you blush when I look at you too long.”
On cue, pink blooms across her cheeks.
Anticipated, but no less pretty for the predictability.
She sips more wine, using the glass to hide her reaction. “What is it you do? For a living, I mean.”
I’m silent for a beat as I weigh my options. “Private security.”
Barely a lie. I do supply security.
For other criminals.
She studies me carefully, eyes narrowing slightly as she processes this information. I wouldn’t have expected this type of examination from her. Beneath all that child-friendly cheerfulness, she’s sharper than she initially appears.
“Right.” She slowly nods. “That explains everything.”
I cock my head. “Everything?” What does she think she knows?
“The way you move. How your eyes are always scanning. How you handled those guys at the farmers market.” She gestures vaguely. “You’re very…efficient.”
Not necessarily a compliment, but I’ll consider it one. “Thank you.”
She rests her chin in her palm and scrutinizes me with renewed interest. “I was starting to think you were a PI or something.” Her tone shifts to humor. “Like, are you following me?”
“Nope.” I keep my expression neutral. “New in town. Just got a job.”
Her face crumples in confusion, brows drawing together. “Oh. I thought you were Manny’s dad?”
I ponder my options. Tell the truth and admit I lied about having a child in her class, or double down on the deception.
