Page 64 of Renegade Rift

If only he knew how lucky he is she’s in my arms so I can’t risk breaking my hand again for her.

“Yup,” I confirm. “And you’re leaving.”

There’s a flicker of fear in his eyes as they dart between me and Juliet. “Wait, is she your girlfriend?”

“Is everything okay?” Smitty pokes his head out of his apartment across the way.

“This guy needs to be escorted out of the building,” I tell him.

“Holy shit. You’re Noah Smith!”

“You’re observant,” Smitty mutters, giving me a nod. “I got it.”

“Thanks, Smit.”

“Wait,isshe your girlfriend? I mean I’m sorry, but Etta, I really thought we connected.”

My eyes narrow at the same time I tighten my grip around Juliet, who hasn’t moved a muscle. “Do you have a death wish?”

Smitty’s hand finds the back of the guy’s neck as he guides him from my door. “Listen, I know you think you had a thing with her, but here’s the thing…”

I lift Juliet and step back into my apartment, officially ending her date with the slam of the door.

Smitty will handle the pretentious prick, and if he can’t, he knows there’s a whole team willing and ready to protect what’s ours.

And even if it’s only in my heart, Juliet is most definitely mine.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

JULIET

I wonder if I wish hard enough if a hole will open up at my feet and swallow me before Ford can ask any questions.

Peeking through my eyelashes, I look between us, but all I find is the same hardwood floor as always.

Damn it.

The date was an absolute disaster. I don’t know how I thought I could possibly be ready for that. Sure, creating a dating profile and matching online was fun. Even chatting through the app wasn’t terrible. But actually showing up. Having to talk to someone. Realizing they are nothing like the profile they created. Who the heck wants to do that every day of the week?

Not me.

I shake my head against Ford’s chest.

“Hey. You’re okay.” His hold on me tightens as his deep voice washes over me like warm honey, sticking in all the places I definitely don’t want it to.

And yet I can’t deny I’m glad it was him who opened the door and not Paige.

I inhale a deep breath, taking in the smell of him—citrus shampoo and an earthy undertone I still can’t place but is uniquely him. It shouldn’t be comforting, and maybe it’s only because I’ve been living in his apartment for the last week, but it reminds me I’m okay. Safe.

Ford’s grip loosens and even though I tighten my own around his waist to stay silent just a moment longer, he still pulls back. He tucks a finger under my chin and lifts, encouraging me to look up at him. Against my better judgement I allow it and meet his piercing blue eyes that are the same color as the sky on a clear day.

“Want to talk about it?”

“If I say no, will you leave it?”

“Yes.”

“I—” That wasn’t the answer I was expecting. “Really? You don’t want to comment about how stupid it was to go out with someone I met on a dating app and then let him convince me to walk meup to the door of the apartment instead of just saying goodbye in the lobby?”

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