“Get out of my face before I decide I don’t want you taking care of business anymore.”
Smitty didn’t reply, but footsteps came closer. I eased the door shut and sprinted to the bathrooms just down the hall. I stumbled inside as the door to the alley opened.
Deciding to stay in the employee bathroom for the few minutes I had left of my break, I leaned against the wall, my back against the cold tiles. Did Sebastian beat someone up tonight? And why wasn’t I more worried at what he’d done?
I went back out and finished my shift. I was glad the rest of the night was business as usual and groaned in relief when it was time to go home. My body ached, and I was dragging my feet.
Sebastian met me at the bar, where I was stacking clean glasses. “You ready to head home?”
I put the dish towel down and nodded. “God, yes.”
I changed back into my own clothes, the dressing room empty. It had been a busy night, and the girls were all out on the floor. I was still nervous being in here by myself, but I didn’t really have a choice.
The door opened, and I looked up with a smile on my face, hoping it was Elle. I really wanted to find out more about that Pilates routine she talked about earlier.
Instead of one of the girls, Clive came through the door. The smile froze on my face, and I fumbled for my jacket. I always felt exposed when he was close, and the more clothes I had on the better.
“Clive. What are you doing in the girls’ dressing room?” I asked, picking up my bag.
If I played this smart, I could get past him and outside before he could stop me. I just had to move him farther into the room while at the same time inching my way to the door.
“I wanted to see you,” he said, walking closer. I evaded him by stepping to the side.
“Well, here I am. But I need to go home and relieve the babysitter.”
He came closer again. “She won’t mind if you stay a little longer.”
I swallowed, hoping today wasn’t the day he snapped. His actions were starting to scare me. I always thought he was harmless, but cornering me all the time and pushing for another date was not exactly giving me the warm and fuzzies. And not to forget the flowers he kept sending me that didn’t exactly make it look like he’d take no for an answer.
“Sebastian is waiting for me,” I said, glad at least that part was true. “I should really go back out there.”
Clive watched me with hungry eyes, and I suppressed the gag that worked its way up my throat.
“What’s going on with you two?” he asked, cocking his head and reminding me of a bird with the way he moved and blinked at me. “Don’t fall for his bullshit, Nora. He’s bad news.”
A knock sounded on the door, and I called out, “Come in.”
Sebastian stuck his head in, his eyes narrowing when he saw Clive. “Let’s go.”
I sprinted past Clive and nearly collided with Sebastian in my haste. He took my hand and held it all the way out to his bike.
“See you tomorrow,” Sebastian called out on his way past the bar. I waved goodbye, not trusting my voice to say anything yet.
While I had an unhealthy obsession with riding on Sebastian’s bike, tonight I wished we’d taken my car. But the ride would be short, and I just had to hold on enough not to fall off. I grumbled under my breath when I swung my leg over the seat, the movement awkward and stiff thanks to my earlier workout.
“Are you hurt?” Sebastian asked, turning his head back to where I was getting comfortable on the seat.
“Just sore. Long night.”
He did his broody hot guy stare for another few seconds before turning around and starting the engine. I wound my arms around him and sank against his back. I usually sat close, but tonight I fused myself to him.
He tensed for a moment but relaxed once it became clear that was how I intended to stay for the ride home. I treasured each time I was on the bike with him. I wasn’t thinking about anything except how much I loved feeling his abs under my hands and how content I was, laying my head against his back and letting the wind take away my worries.
I really needed to get my head checked, because this was turning into a case of Stockholm syndrome.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“There’s a hole in my donut,” Luca wailed, staring at the donut on his plate.
We were eating dinner, and the kids had moved on to dessert. Malena and Felix had come over, and I was grateful for the distraction.
I grabbed a banana and broke off a piece big enough to fit in the hole. I pulled Luca’s plate over and stuffed the banana in it, making sure it was somewhat even with the donut, and pushed the plate back in front of him.
He looked at it for a second before taking a tentative bite.
“I take it this has happened before?” Malena asked, holding a hand over her mouth, covering up a laugh.
“Didn’t you think there was a reason I told you not to get donuts?” I said, shooting laser beams at her. When she’d asked me what to bring for dessert, I’d told her anything but donuts.
“I just thought you were on some diet. It seemed like a good idea to get the one thing you didn’t want.”
I face-palmed with my middle finger out. “You are a cruel, cruel friend.”
She grinned and took another bite of her udon. “The food is amazing as usual,” she said, grinning at me, not sorry at all for causing Luca’s meltdown.
Making those dishes brought
