Page 127 of My Three Billionaire Rockstars

The square seems to get louder around us at the exact moment I go still.

Absolutely not.

I level a glare at her intense enough to peel paint.

She pretends not to notice.

Xander doesn’t say anything right away.

When I finally force myself to look at him, his gaze is on me in that way of his that somehow feels like being touched.

Nina clears her throat with all the innocence of a woman about to commit a crime. “I need to pop into Grace’s for five minutes.”

“No,” I say.

“Yes,” she replies.

“You absolutely don’t.”

“I absolutely do. I promised her I’d pick up a hold.”

“You’re inventing errands.”

She shrugs. “Maybe.”

“Coward.”

“Strategist,” she corrects, then reaches for Daisy’s leash before I can stop her. “I’ll take the gremlin.”

Daisy goes with her.

I stare after them, betrayed by dog and bloodline alike.

When they disappear into Daffodil Books, I say, without turning around, “I’m going to kill her.”

“No, you’re not,” Xander says.

“I’m at least going to scare her.”

“That I believe.”

I fold my arms and look out over the square instead of at him.

It’s still busy. Still warm with noise and movement and people who have no idea I’m standing here trying very hard to act normal while my entire internal system runs around banging pots together.

“This was nice,” I say finally, because it was, which is deeply irritating.

“Yes.”

I glance at him. “You’re not even going to pretend that surprised you?”

His gaze holds mine. “No.”

“Arrogant.”

“Observant.”

I sigh. “You really only have the one personality flaw, don’t you?”