Page 97 of Just Trouble

They are perfect teeth, so white they must be bleached, so straight he must have had braces as a kid. Maybe since. Daph introduces us and he shakes my hand heartily, his gaze locking with mine for a heartbeat. Was that an assessment or a challenge?

I don’t like it either way.

This is herfriend?

He invited himself? How is that supposed to make his presence better?

Did she dress to impress Rafe or me?

I hate having doubts. I hate feeling like our date has been crashed. I hate that she told me and I didn’t pay attention, and that I feel like a raging bull myself. But I smile and take Daph’s arm, not caring if I look proprietary, well aware that Rafe notices.

The other thing I don’t like is that he’s even here. It’s a first for me to have a woman invite another guy along on a date. Once again, Daph has knocked me sideways and I have no script for this scene. She looks amazing and keeps smiling at me, which is a great way of ensuring that I’m a complete mess of contradictory impulses.

Have I become a jealous monster?

God. I hope not.

But I am scheming to move back to Empire forever, just to be with Daph, and it would ideal if we were in agreement about the future we haven’t discussed yet.

Once again, I have the sense that I messed up and this is my own fault.

So, I try to make nice, perhaps for the first time ever.

For Daph.

Wonder of wonders, I learn when we step into the bistro that Rafe has been worshipping at Merrie’s altar for a long time. She recognizes him and berates him for some imaginary crime, threatening to withhold dessert from him. He pretends to grovel and they both visibly enjoy what must be an established game.

I try to keep from rolling my eyes, and Daph gives me a jab in the ribs with her elbow.

“Be nice,” she whispers, flicking me a dark glance.

“I told you I’m not nice.”

“Aim for polite, then.”

“Even though this is a first?” I ask, barely moving my lips.

She actually looks puzzled. Does she imagine that women routinely bring a plus-one to my supposed-to-be-romantic encounters? How pathetic would that be?

I take the chance to lean close, so close that my lips are touching her ear. She smells divine. At least she shivers, so I’m not out of the game yet. “I have never had anyone bring a date to a date before,” I breathe, and she takes a step back.

“This is not a date.”

“The hell it isn’t. I invited you to join me here for dinner.”

“But it’s business,” she protests. “The culmination of our alliance,” she says with precision and I realize she’s quoting me. She lifts a brow, waiting, and I see that’s where I went wrong.

Delivery is everything.

“Does that mean you think we’re done?”

“Aren’t we? I haven’t seen you all week.”

“Daph, I’ve been trying to plan. I’m not that good at it yet, but I’m working on my next project.” Her features don’t soften. “In Empire,” I murmur and her eyes widen. I nod and finally, she smiles.

She runs a hand down the lapel of my suit. “You mean this is for me?”

“It’s sure as hell not for Rafe,” I mutter and she laughs, the goddess who has my soul in her clutches.

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