Page 305 of Flirting with Darkness

Dex realized he didn’t know shit about her.

He had no idea why she’d be upset, and he didn’t know what she liked to do or eat or read, fuck, all he knew was her first name and that she was a witch with a death wish.

“Why are we watching the English version?” she asked out of nowhere, nursing the vodka.

He paused the show and switched over to the subtitles. “Some people don’t like to read.”

“I can speak Japanese.” Nova drank more and he snagged the bottle from her just for an excuse to stare at her.

“Aren’t we special.” He drank half the bottle just to make sure she couldn’t.

“You only speak English?” she asked, turning to arch an eyebrow at him like she was disappointed.

“I speak Korean, Russian, and Japanese as well as English.” He grinned at her and handed over the bottle. “Food’s here.”

He didn’t bother to pause the show and opened the door just enough the delivery guy couldn’t see her. “Thanks for the speed.”

“Of course, Dex. Another night alone? I keep telling you to get a girlfriend, a boyfriend, anything. Just stop being lonely.” The old Italian gave him one of those ridiculous winks and took the cash from him with a nod of thanks.

“I’m not lonely,” Dex called after him, but the old man just waved his hand in dismissal.

Nosy-ass old people.

When he closed the door, he saw Nova focusing on the show with her arms crossed over her chest. Dex knew she wasn’t shy now, yet her body language screamed so many contradictory things at him.

The first night he’d met her, he’d been sure she was insecure or shy orsomething. But after seeing her at the club wearing that outfit, he knew that wasn’t the case. There were just times she didn’t want anyone looking at her – times she didn’t feel safe.

He gritted his teeth and shoved down the irritation that she didn’t feel safe with him. “I got Italian.”

She tossed two twenties on the table without looking at him.

“Look, it’s not a big deal. You can get me back next time,” he told her, sitting on the edge of the couch to go through the food.

“We’re friends and I can take care of myself.” If he didn’t know better, he’d say she was pissed at him.

Dex grabbed one of the twenties and threw it in her face. “It wasn’t that expensive. Take whatever you want.”

Rage flickered in her eyes when she shoved the cash back in her pocket, but she unfolded from the couch to see what he’d chosen.

He leaned back to watch her without looking like that was what he was doing. Dex sipped the vodka and kept his eyes on the TV, but he was aware of every move she made. Nova grabbed a fork and the closest thing without even checking what it was.

Something wasverywrong.

It made his chest tight and Dex hated the conflict of emotions inside. All he wanted to do was ask what was bothering her so he could fucking fix it, but she didn’t trust him. And why should she?

They were still trying to figure out how to just be friends.

Nova ate the pasta with her eyes glued to the screen and Dex grabbed what was left over. Things were weird between them, but it could honestly be worse. She could have chosen not to come because she was upset, and instead she’d stuck it out.

To some degree, she felt safe around him. Maybe safe enough to hang, but not talk.

“So, obviously everyone is going to die,” she said. Nova settled back into the couch like that comforted her.

What a fucking weirdo.

“I’m not spoiling anything.” Dex finished the chicken parmesan and went for the spaghetti next. “You can watch it and find out. I have all night.”

“I was surprised you weren’t working on a Saturday,” she told him, finishing the alfredo.

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