Page 64 of My Only

I tried to shake it off.

Tried to let the night go.

Tried to brush off the interaction with Harper.

But the shit wouldn’t leave me.

It clung to me.

Sat in my spirit.

That woman wasn’t just flirty. She wasn’t just bold.

She was determined.

And worse than that?

She felt like a valid threat.

When we arrived home, Hassani opened the front door, holding it for me.

I walked through the door, kicked off my sandals, and stormed toward our bedroom.

But before I could take another step, he caught my hand, locking his pinky around mine.

I closed my eyes and sighed, stopping in place.

He always did this.

With his pinky still hooked around mine, he moved in close behind me, his warmth reaching me before his touch.

In my ear, he whispered, “You mad at me?”

I licked my lips, keeping my eyes shut, not wanting to say yes.

But not willing to lie either.

I didn’t even know what I expected from him tonight.

It was a work event. It’s not like he could’ve been rude to Harper or checked her, no matter how blatantly she disrespected me. That wouldn’t have looked right, especially with their project starting Monday.

But still…

Why hadn’t he told me about her?

Why was I just now hearing her name for the first time, yet she knew enough about us to mention the sculpture in our home? Enough to call him by a nickname?

I felt blindsided.

Out of the loop.

And I hated that most of all.

I thought Hassani told me everything.

His pinky loosened from mine as he stepped in front of me.

Then, with those golden eyes locked on mine, he lifted our hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my pinky.