I would never survive a man like him. I would never walk away with my heart intact. I will never try.
“If you say so.” Her smile is coy and telling, but I’m not sure what it is saying.
We walk to the front, and I quickly check the floor, which seems under control, with only a few patrons enjoying their drinks.
“Speak of the devil.” Saar snickers.
I follow her gaze and land on the flashy Lamborghini, its owner leaning casually against the hood in his expensive suit. The picture is arresting. He looks untouchable.
Dangerous awareness ripples through me. The sight makes me feel off-balance.
Saar squeezes my hand. “I know we said Xander is off the list, so just say the word and I’ll send him away.”
I study the suit-clad sin, and I realize one thing. If I want him to stop messing with me, I need to tell him off once and for all.
His constant showing up unannounced is fogging my mind, and giving me false hope about something that makes no sense.
Remembering the deed tucked in my sunflower journal, which I finally found, I consider sending Saar out to tell him to get lost.
But I’m a grown-ass woman, and I need to take care of myself.
“I’ll deal with him.” And hopefully survive it.
“Still on for the date later this week, though?” Saar asks.
“Absolutely.”
She kisses me and leaves, just as Xander enters.
“What are you doing here?” I put my hands on my hips.
“You ask that a lot.” He leans against the table closest to the counter.
It’s like he knows how devastating he looks. Like the front page of a magazine that causes spontaneous orgasms.
“And you keep showing up uninvited.” I don’t look away, no matter how much the sight eats at my defenses.
“But not unwelcome,” he drawls.
His signature boyish grin stretches across his handsome face, and for a moment I wish I were that girl. A girl who is carefree enough to dive into the unexpected.
Who isn’t protecting her heart at all costs. Who can enjoy herself without the crippling sense of guilt.
“What do you want?”
“Is that how you treat your customers?” He takes a seat.
“Xander—”
“I’m driving you home.”
“I’m not closing because of you again.”
“Fair enough. I’ll wait.”
I sigh, and am about to send him away when Sanjay appears. “What can I get you?”
Traitor.
