Page 66 of Midnight Valentine
I stare at him openmouthed. After a few moments, I gather myself enough to speak. “I’m flattered. Honestly. And I appreciate you being so blunt.” I laugh a small, uncomfortable laugh. “Though I have to admit, it takes some getting used to.”
Craig lifts a shoulder. “I like to put all the cards on the table up front.”
Unlike some other men I know. “I can see that,” I murmur, wondering what kind of cosmic joke is being played on me.
On one hand, I’ve got an über-assertive alpha male with a solid-steel ego handing me his feelings on a silver platter. On the other, I’ve got a mute recluse with an attitude as unstable as his mental health who’d rather have all his teeth pulled out than tell me anything.
This shouldn’t be such a surprise. My life stopped making sense years ago.
When a mild tingle runs down my spine, I glance over at the bar. Theo, hands flattened over the bar top and elbows locked, stares back at me. His gaze shifts to Craig. And stays there.
And hardens.
“You’re not saying anything,” observes Craig.
“Oh, sorry, I’m just…” I take a steadying breath, then meet Craig’s eyes. “Since we’re being so honest, I need to tell you a few things too.”
Craig leans toward me, his eyes intent. “Okay. Shoot.”
“Do you see that man at the bar?”
Craig frowns and looks to his right. “Which one?”
“Black hair. Black jacket. Black clouds churning overhead.”
“Oh. Valentine.”
I blink, surprised he recognizes Theo. “You know him?”
Craig shrugs. “I know of him. We’ve bid on some of the same jobs. I’ve seen him lurking around a few builders’ conferences. He has a reputation for being an odd bird. What about him?”
“He bid on the restoration of my house too.”
“Are you hiring him?”
“I had his team do the electrical wiring after the fire—”
“Fire?” repeats Craig loudly. “What fire?”
I wave my hand in the air. “Long story. No one was hurt. My point is…” I take another deep breath. “I think there might be something going on between us.”
Craig lifts his brows. “You think? Are you saying you’re dating him?”
“No. I’m not dating him. In fact, I’m convinced he doesn’t like me at all.”
He squints at me as if to see me better. “I don’t understand. How could there be something going on between you if he doesn’t like you and you’re not dating him?”
I sigh, because out loud, it sounds as ridiculous as it is. “Believe me, I don’t understand it either. But…just look at him. Look at the way he’s looking at you. How would you describe it?”
Craig slices his gaze back toward the bar. After a few beats, he says mildly, “I’d say he wants to rip off my fucking head.”
“Exactly.”
After a moment, Craig quirks his lips. Then he glances back at me, his eyes sparkling. “Good.”
“Good? Did you just say good?”
“I did.”
