Page 122 of Safe Word

My head angled. Instinct moved faster than thought – I ducked beneath his arm, putting some much-needed space between us before my nerves snapped altogether.

‘It’s okay,’ I said, all wide-eyed ignorance.

I abandoned the mop. No way in hell was I cornering myself in a seven-by-seven-foot bathroom to soak it. He’d follow me in.

Kitchen towels would do.

I dropped to my knees and began wiping the coffee from the tiles, my movements shaky but gradually steadying.

He stayed behind, unmoving.

I could feel his stare burning a hole on my face.

‘Are you two…?’ he started, but trailed off into charged silence.

My head snapped up. I pinned him with a look sharp enough to tell him exactly how little of his business that was.

He raised his palms as if I’d drawn a weapon.

‘Sorry, just…’ He clicked his tongue, gave that lazy grin again, the one that always felt like a mask.

‘Vinnie…’ I stood slowly, stealing a glance at the shoebox as I tossed the soiled towels into the bin. ‘There’s nothing between D’Angelo and me – we’re working together.’

But even as I said it, something inside me writhed.

Why the fuck did that feel like a lie?

He exhaled, and the sunny smile returned like a bad habit. ‘Good.’

‘I promise we’re keeping things professional,’ I added, dry and careful.

That seemed to give him pause. His brow creased, and when understanding finally settled, he chuckled awkwardly. ‘Oh—no, that’s not why I asked. Private life is private.’

I raised a brow, wiping my hands slowly, never breaking eye contact as I let the question hang.

I should have remained a fucking hermit.

He hesitated a beat too long.

‘I know it might be sudden, all things considered, but I’ve got tickets for a show tonight – some rising band’s playing in Primo. Want to come with?’

The air shifted.

I allowed a sharp and entirely programmed smile and made a goddamn beeline for the shoe rack like a woman on a mission.

Pulling on my trainers with too much focus, I tied those laces tight, as though binding my sanity to them before it completely left me.

‘I think I should take it easy tonight, after…’ I let the sentence die, unable to get the words out.

He realigned his jaw, looking down at his shoes, which suddenly made him look a little older in that light.

‘And I’m sure I’d just scare the girls off if I tagged along with you two.’

His voice darkened a fraction. ‘Us two?’

I paused, hands still on my shoes, heart kicking up again. ‘Cain and you,’ I said with forced levity, as I pulled my hair back into a ponytail.

He didn’t smile. Didn’t speak right away. His jaw worked, his eyes turned away briefly.