Page 12 of Vicious Little Darling

He narrows his eyes at me. “Did something happen?”

I hesitate, tempted to tell him about the creep, but I know he’d overreact. “I’ve just been thinking about what you said and I think you’re right, Josh,” I lie. “I think I should pick up a second job so I can afford it. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

He purses his lips. “I don’t see why you couldn’t just move in with me.”

I blow out an annoyed sigh. “I don’twantto mooch off you.”

“Good God, Em,” Josh grumbles, just as our order is ready. “I’m so tired of you always thinking you’re mooching off me. It sucks that you think of it that way.” He grabs the two baskets of tacos and hands me one, before guiding me to an outdoor table.

“I don’t want you to resent me,” I tell him as he takes a bite of his chicken taco. “And I want to make it on my own.”

“Okay, fine,” Josh swallows. “Then pick up an evening shift at the bar. Just, let me walk you home, okay? It makes me nervous.”

As much as I want to argue with him, I don’t. “Okay. I guess it will be really late.”

“Yeah, and I’ll never let you work alone at the bar. I’m planning on hiring a couple of guys, regardless. Once I vet whoever I hire and deem them trustworthy, I’ll let them be the ones who close up.”

“That’s not fair,” I reason, picking up one of my tacos. “I don’t want you to play favorites or anything.”

“I do it for all the women who work for me. I won’t treat you any differently, okay? Just please, let me have a little control for once.” He looks exasperated, and I find myself feeling guilty for giving him such a hard time.

“Okay,” I breathe out. “I’m sorry. I know I’m the biggest pain in the ass.”

“No, you’re not,” he chuckles. “You’re justyou.I don’t think I’d know what to do if you were any different to what you are.”

“True,” I laugh, picking up my taco. As I lift it to my mouth, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. My stomach recoils at the feeling, and my gaze darts around, searching for the source of the feeling. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary, but my heart thumps obnoxiously in my chest, rattling my insides as I force myself to take a bite and then glance nonchalantly over my shoulder.

There’s not a single recognizable person in view.

It’s just in my head. I swear.I brush it off, and finish my lunch, letting Josh have the last taco. He devours it, and then mentions something about going to the gym. He knows I won’t set foot in there, preferring to work out in the comfort of my apartment.

“It’s not nearly as intimidating as you think,” he says as he tosses the cardboard baskets into the trash. “In fact, I could go with you. We could be like a power couple—well, friendship couple.”

“That’s not weird at all,” I burst into laughter, shaking my head as his face grows red. “We don’t really have that kind of vibe. I don’t wear enough athleisure clothing, either. Seriously, I’d stick out like sore thumb.”

“You wouldn’t stand out at all, but…” Josh shakes his head as he nudges me. “Fair enough. I don’t want you to change at all. I like you the way you are.”

I meet his gaze, noticing it softening as he looks at me. “I’m glad someone does. I doubt the blind date I have will. You know how those usually go for me.”

“Blind date, huh?” His expression shifts and he looks away from me. “That’s awkward.”

“Rich’s idea,” I tell him with a shrug. “He says that this guy’s my type.”

“And whatisyour type, Em?”

I look up at him, cracking a smile. “No freaking idea.”

Josh falls into silence for a few beats, the sounds of the city around us filling the gap. I fold my arms across my chest, and scan the faces of the people we pass. I don’t exactly feel as if I’m being watched anymore, but the fact that someone showed up at my apartment complex means I’m not letting my guard down.

It was probably nothing,I remind myself.I just need to get out of that part of town.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Josh’s voice cuts through the noise. “I’m not convinced that something else isn’t going on. You were completely against working for me at the bar and now, you’re determined to move—and you love your apartment.”

I shut my eyes for a split second. “It’s not like that. I mean, it is. Ididchange my mind. I just had to think about it.”

“Your mom will be relieved,” Josh says, giving me a smile. “She’s been wanting you out of that apartment since you moved in.”

“Yeah, well,” I scoff. “I’m pretty sure my parents would love for me to move out of the city and never look back. They don’t think any part is safe.”

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