Page 125 of Vicious Temptation

Derek Cain.

I know enough about the man to understand why his name carries weight, but Remi says it with the kind of affection reserved for someone she’s loved her entire life.

“He’s not a fan?”

“No. Some infamous incident no one is allowed to talk about,” she says with a laugh.

“Not even with his daughter? Or you, considering how close you two are?”

She pauses before answering.

“Uncle Derek is like a second father to me. I grew up splitting my time between his house and mine.” Her smile softens. “But there are some secrets that a man will take to the grave, and Food Truck Gate is apparently one of them.”

I laugh. “Food Truck Gate?”

“That’s what Val and I call it.”

“Sounds serious.”

“Oh, it is. The second anyone brings it up, he changes the subject so quickly you’d think we were discussing classified government secrets.”

“Maybe it is.”

“At this point, that’s the leading theory.”

I shake my head, smiling despite myself. It’s strange hearing her talk about a man with Derek Cain’s reputation like any other uncle with an embarrassing story he refuses to tell.

Then again, I’m starting to realize that’s exactly what he is to her.

“So we’re just supposed to sit out there like we’re not drenched down to our underwear?” she asks, hopping out of my truck.

I follow, rounding the hood to meet her.

“I have an extra jacket if you’re cold.”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine.”

I extend my hand to her, but she purses her lips and stuffs hers into her wet pockets.

“Fuck buddies don’t hold hands in public like a couple.”

“They also don’t go on dates, but here we are.”

She laughs. “Who said this was a date, Braga? I’m just a girl cashing in on a free-food promise.”

“That’s a date.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“You voluntarily left work with me, let me drag you an hour outside the city, sat by a lake holding my hand, and now you’re getting food with me.”

“Keep talking.”

“I’m just saying, if it walks like a date and talks like a date⁠—”

She plants a finger against my chest. “Finish that sentence and I’ll push you back into the lake.”

I glance over my shoulder. “We’re nowhere near the lake.”