Page 47 of With Us

“You know what they say about that? When you assume, you leap to asinine conclusions like it’s your super power.”

Dahlia’s lips tipped up, though she tried to hide it. “I don’t think that’s how the saying goes.”

“I’m paraphrasing.” Keeping hold of her waist, I stepped into her space. I knew she could feel my cock jerk against her belly as she looked up at me guardedly.

She’s still hiding something.

“What else is this about?” I asked as my phone started up again.

“Nothing.”

My voice lowered, my tone matter of fact. “That’s the second time in ten minutes you’ve lied straight to my face, Dahlia.”

“I’m not.”

“Third.” I bit out a curse as my phone stopped and started. “Sorry, I’ve got to get this.”

“It’s okay, go ahead.” Taking two small steps away, heading in the opposite direction of the building, she looked at the sparse flowers that grew in the city’s dilapidated planter.

“Luca,” I growled as the call connected.

“I know, boss, I know. But this is an emergency. No, I take that back. This is a clusterfuck of epically fucked up proportions.”

Turning away, I kept my voice low. “What’s happening?”

Luc’s own voice changed, his tone forced and upbeat. “You know how it is, some guys just get cold feet and lash out.”

I glanced at Dahlia as she picked some weeds. “I take it someone is there.”

“No, no, don’t cry. Come pick me up, and we’ll go talk to him.”

“Text me the address.”

“No problem, that’s what family is for.”

Ending the call, I turned just in time to see Dahlia press the last number in the building passcode and open the door, pulling it closed behind her.

As much as I wanted to go after her, it was clear she needed space. And I needed to figure out what was going on with Luc.

After getting the address, I drove in silence, my mind switching between Dahlia and work. My frustration with both situations grew the longer I thought about them. By the time I made the quick drive, I was white knuckling the steering wheel, trying to remind myself that snapping it would lower the value of the car.

I pulled in front of the bar where Luc was already waiting. “Hey,” he greeted, getting in and pulling out his cell. “Niall is waiting for us at Amaric, and…” His words trailed off when he looked at me. “What happened?”

“Nothing with this,” I evaded. He continued looking at me until I added, “Dahlia tried to end things.”

“‘Tried’?”

“Tried.” Stopping at a red light, I ran my palm down my face. “She said it was because I don’t want to have sex with her.”

“She actuallysaidthat?” Luc asked through his chuckle.

Nodding, I almost wanted to laugh, too. She’d looked mortified. “Anyway, I don’t think that’s all there is. She’s hiding something.” At Luc’s heavy silence, similar to Dahlia’s, I surmised, “And you know what it is.”

“Yes.”

“Luca—”

He held his hands up. “Hey, I told you I wasn’t sharing all I learned. And I’m still not.” I opened my mouth, but he talked over me. “Fornow. If things don’t change in a week or two, I’ll tell you. But I stand by what I said. Sometimes it really is better to go innotknowing every detail.” As if sensing my argument, he added, “Plus, think about how much better it’ll be when she tells you because she trusts you.”

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