Page 32 of Sweet Addiction
“You sure?” She cuts the ribbon and grabs the last of the brown paper packages to fasten the bow on. “I don’t mind staying.”
“I’m sure. Go home.” I save the document I’m working on and close my laptop. Some distance and some romance might help my concentration. I’ll come back to that damn chapter later. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dillan.” She grabs her coat from the coat tree in the corner of the shop and slips her purse strap across her chest. “Hey... don’t take this the wrong way, but are you feeling okay? You’ve seemed a little off today.”
Funny how sometimes it’s the newest people in your life who notice the little things your family or friends miss. “I’m okay. Just have a lot on my mind. Sorry if I was quiet. I meant to ask how your sister was feeling.”
“She’s good.” Kaleigh’s voice softens as she shifts from one foot to the other. “She’s given up on ever being comfortable again though.”
“Oh... that’s not good. She still has a few months to go, right?”
She wraps her scarf around her neck and fluffs her pink hair before tugging a wool hat with a white pom-pom on her head. “Yup. I guess two pregnancies back-to-back kind of did her in.”
I can’t even imagine. Kaleigh hasn’t shared much, but I’ve gathered enough to know it’s not a great situation for any of them.
“Let me know if you guys need anything.” It’s not the first time I’ve offered since she came to work for me, but Kaleigh and her sister are too proud to accept my offer. And while I may understand pride, I won’t stop trying. “See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dillan.” She waits a minute like she wants to talk about something but changes her mind at the last minute and turns toward the door as the devil himself walks through it. “Hey, Rome,” she whispers and looks back at me with both brows raised, mouthinggood luck.“Bye, Dillan.”
My luck has never been good, and what little I’d say I have has apparently run out.
Shit.
I’m already regretting letting Kaleigh leave early. At least if she were here, I’d have a buffer. Oh well. I’m not even a tiny bit in the mood to deal with this man,again.
Rome flips the sign on the door behind him toClosedand scans the space as if searching for something and coming up empty.
“Excuse me. We are not closed,” I snap. How dare he?
The obnoxious ass stalks over to me, leaving the counter between us. Lucky for him because I’m awfully tempted to kick him in the balls right now. I think I could plead temporary insanity and not a soul in town would blame me. “Twice in one day, psycho.”
“Twice in one day, Dillan.” He grips the back of his neck with his hand, shoving the hood of his sweatshirt down, and the delicious scent of sandalwood and vanilla clings to his damphair. That damn scent shouldn’t make my mouth water after all this time, but it still does, and I swear to God that fuels my anger. “Or should I sayTheia?”
My eyes snap to his, a silent battle taking shape in my head. In that instant, sides are chosen, and lines are drawn, and the war looming makes the last two years look like kids playing enemies.
Because. He. Knows.
I’ve protected this from everyone.
Protected myself.
And he knows . . .
No, wait. He doesn’t know.
He just thinks he does.
I have to think... to buy myself time.
Think, Dillan. What did he say?Or should I say Theia?
Split-second decision made, I casually place my hands on my hips and flutter my lashes.“I mean, you could say it, but I don’t know why you would.”
There. That works.
Please let that have worked.
“Come on, Dillan. I’d say you’re a bad liar, but we both know you’ve already proven you’re not.”Ouch. “Guess you fucked up this time though. Come on—Theia DeLaurentiis... Really?”
