My teeth ground so hard I was sure I’d need to get them fixed. “So that’s what you want? To save me?”
“I simply want to help.”
“You want in my company, and I want to know the real reason why. It isn’t to help others, that’s for damn sure. But I’m not in the mood today. Today, I’ve had enough of you.”
He laughed, drawing people’s attention to our table. Their stares didn’t last long once they figured out who he was. They were smart to keep to themselves, but I was sure they were listening for any details they could get so they could spread rumors even without him asking them to. “Can’t say I’m surprised knowing your short temper. Just remember what I said. We’ll be in touch.”
“You sound sure.”
He stood too, flattening his suit jacket, and shooting me a confident wink that I wanted to smack off his face. “Guess you’ll have to see for yourself. Seems I know more things about your weakest points than you do. I’ll leave this working relationship open for a while until you see sense.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
He turned, waving down a waiter who appeared almost instantly. Paying him no attention as he handed over bills too big for what was spent on our lunches, he patted the young boy’s arm. “Don’t accept Mr. West’s money. It’d be an insult to me considering I invited him to lunch.”
Nostrils flaring, I glared. He never paid, everybody knew that. He was making a statement.
“You owe me now,” was the last thing he said before turning to leave.
I wanted to yell.
To punch something.
But what did I do?
I went to the last place I should have, leaving behind the piece of paper on the table so The Dick couldn’t accuse me of its ownership.
I saw the black leather jacket first. It engulfed her small frame, but she wore it proudly. I hadn’t seen it on her since the night of Anthony’s funeral.
“Wow. Look who’s alive,” she commented, holding the jacket around her like a barrier. The wince that came from her was subtle before she said, “Sorry. I had a bad day.”
“Want to talk about it?” Honestly, all I wanted was to go inside, kiss her, make her dinner, and watch whatever the hell she put on TV. I didn’t care if it had to do with aliens, mummies, horrible cooking, or animals. I just wanted to spend time with her and ignore the day, which had clearly been a rough one for both of us.
“Not really,” she admitted quietly, looking around at a few bystanders. Her sigh was light as she brushed her new short hair behind her ear. “I’ve been fighting with myself a little. Just having one of those days.”
Alert coursed through me. “Should I be worried? Do you need—”
“No.” Her lips rubbed together before her palm swept across her cheek like she was wiping away exhaustion. “No, you don’t need to worry. I’m not sure why I’ve been feeling this way, but I have been and I’m working through it. I spoke to Ripley about it earlier.”
“Did she help?”
One shoulder lifted. “As much as she could, I suppose. You know Ripley. She gives me a motivation speech and reminds me not to backpedal after working so hard to get where I am now. She’s right. I don’t plan on failing, but…”
It was easier said than done. “I thought we could have dinner,” I told her. “Maybe watch something together. I’ve been thinking about it all day.”
We stood outside her building facing each other. It looked like she was leaving, but I selfishly wanted her to stay. “I really like what you’ve done to your hair, by the way. You look…”
“Different?”
“Beautiful.” Her new cut framed her narrow jawline and high cheekbones like a masterpiece. The short style was chin-length, and it worked for her.
Her cheeks reddened. “I’m actually on my way out.”
“Where?”
“To see friends.”
“Pretty Boy?” I gripped the back of my neck and sighed heavily. “That’s good. If you’re getting out, that’s great. I suppose I just wanted to talk to you about a few things. I met with somebody today that pissed me off and I wanted to see you.”
She blinked. “I’m meeting with Tiffany Anderson too. I’m not sure if you remember her, but she also danced with me.” There was a moment of pause between us. “If I didn’t already make plans, I’d go upstairs. I’m sorry.”
“I should have called,” I apologized.
Her arms hugged her waist. “It’s fine. Maybe we could have lunch tomorrow? I don’t have any plans besides some homework.”
I smiled. “If you have the time.”
She walked up to me until our shoes touched, and her arms went around my waist in a tight hug. “I’d make time for you, Theo. Always.”
I went rigid when I saw a couple walking past us with curious eyes, and the woman didn’t look particularly thrilled over the embrace Della had me in. Swallowing, I patted her back and drew away first with a small smile.
“What?” she asked, brows pinching. I began to shake my head and tell her nothing was wrong when she saw the same couple whispering, the man not-so-subtly looking at me before shrugging at the woman. Her hand found my waist. “Theo?”
“Nothing, Della. It’s just—”
“Them?” she guessed, nodding toward the couple who had passed us. My shoulders eased, giving me away. “Seriously?”
“No. Like I said, I had a shit day with somebody who got on my nerves and I’m just being cautious.”
“Cautious.” She blinked before laughing dryly at my bad choice of word. “You’re being cautious of what exactly?”
“Della—”
Her mood shifted drastically. “We had sex!” she hissed, yanking her hand from my body, eyes watering to a glazed glare directed toward me. “I didn’t imagine that. I didn’t beg for it. Did I make the first move? Sure. Did you have to go through with it? Touch me? Taste
