Page 62 of My Only

And that was a big problem.

I didn’t like that.

Not one damn bit.

“Anyway,” Hassani said, his voice light but firm, “we were just about to head home?—”

“Aw, no! Why so soon?”

Harper did a playful little dance, swiveling her slim hips from side to side before resting her hand on Hassani’s arm.

“The night is young. Why are you guys leaving so early?”

I could feel my pressure rising the longer I stood in this woman’s presence.

Her audacity was suffocating me.

I couldn’t take another minute of it.

“Harper,” I said, forcing a polite smile. “It was nice meeting you.” I peeked up at Hassani before refocusing on her. “You have a good night.”

She blinked, her smile faltering just a little before she quickly fixed it.

“The pleasure was all mine… Ayla.”

The sound of my name on her lips left a bad taste in my mouth.

Her focus slid back to Hassani, her dark eyes brightening under his gaze. “So, Monday?”

Hassani nodded. “Monday.”

I ran my fingers over my coils, inhaling a slow, deep breath.

“Okay.” She smiled again. “Until then.”

Hassani lowered his hand to mine, threading his fingers between my own as we turned for the exit.

Only when we said our goodbyes to Bryant and Zoe did I speak again.

And those goodbyes were the only words I said from the museum gallery to his car in the parking garage.

The only words I said while we merged onto the highway and left the city behind.

For half an hour, silence sat heavy between us, lightened only by the quiet hum of R&B playing through the speakers.

Then finally, I broke it.

“I do not like Harper.”

Hassani said nothing at first.

His fingers stroked through his beard as his other hand tensed around the steering wheel before he slowly released the pressure.

“She was so inappropriate, Hassani.”

“She’s harmless, baby.”

I whipped my head in his direction.

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