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“Did Jen say something to you?” he pushed. “Did she upset you? You didn’t look upset when I walked back into the den, but she was wearing her ‘I’m so innocent’ expression. What did she say?”
“Nothing upsetting. She just wants to fix the ‘mess’ she made,” I answered vaguely, not seeing the sense in making things worse between them by adding what a tool she’d been.
“And?”
“And she was hoping I’d let her do that by involving her in the plans for the reception. I suggested she find another way of making it up to you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What else?”
“Nothing interesting.”
He stepped into my personal space, which he did far too often these days, the bold bastard. “Vienna, tell me the rest.”
I sighed. “She was just being petty, making out like you guys are super close and were once an ‘item.’ I suggested that she stop being so insistent on disliking me and try being civil. You never know, she might actually follow my advice.”
“So, if it wasn’t Jen that upset you, what did? We’re being straight with each other from here on out, remember. So tell me.”
“You’ll just say I’m being stupid.”
He frowned. “I would never call you stupid.”
I blew out a breath. “Okay. Fine. When Kent made the throwaway comment about how the video would be something to show the grandkids, I got to thinking how there wouldn’t be any for you; that you’d forever be here in this massive house all alone. It made me sad to think of you being on your own year after year. Which is silly, I know, because you want that for yourself, so go on: tell me I’m being stupid.”
His steely, dark eyes began to soften, and his frown slowly smoothed away. “Vienna,” he whispered with a sigh, palming the back of my head. His gaze dropped to my mouth and heated. Darkened. Glittered.
I drew in an unsteady breath as the air snapped taut. My stomach twisted, and my nerves went haywire. I felt my pulse quicken. Felt excitement flare low in my stomach.
He stood very still, his nostrils flaring, his muscles tight. It was clear to see he was wrestling with himself. It seemed that common sense prevailed, because he lowered his hand and took a step back. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed.
I grasped onto an inane subject in an effort to douse the sexual tension. “Anyway, I’d say the meal with my family went well. They didn’t seem worried about us when they left.”
He tilted his head. “You told them not to ask me about my parents, didn’t you?”
Busted. “Only because I knew they would—it’s a mundane question that most see as harmless. I just said it was a sensitive subject for you, the same way I asked you not to mention Corrine or his mother to Simon. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
His face went soft and languid, but then all emotion seeped from his eyes, and his expression was once again hard. “You need to be careful, Vienna.”
“Careful?”
“I’m a very selfish being. If you keep being so sweet, I’ll get used to it, and I might not want to lose it. Then we’ll both be in trouble.” With that, he walked away, leaving me standing in the middle of the foyer with my mouth open wide.
Yeah, he was definitely going to drive me to drink.
Chapter Twenty-One
Strolling into the den Saturday morning, Dane frowned when he caught sight of me slumped on the sofa. “You’re sulking again.”
I tossed him a miffed look. “Not feeling in the mood to be judged right now.”
He came to a stop in front of me. “What’s wrong?”
“I want to go to the zoo.”
“And, what, you’re eight-years-old?”
“Hey, it’s not just for kids. Adults go too, you know.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“There’s no one to go with me.” I folded my arms across my chest. “Simon is working, Ashley has plans with Tucker, Hanna’s spending the weekend with her sister in Long Island, and my foster parents are going to the mall with Heather and Junior.”
“Why are you so eager to go to the zoo?”
“There was an article online that said they’ve just brought in Pallas’ cats. I love them; I’ve never seen any in real life.”
“I don’t even know what they are.”
I brought up the article on my phone to show him the picture. “There. Aren’t they adorable?”
“Not even a little.”
I felt my lips thin. “You know what? I don’t need your negativity right now.” I pushed to my feet. “See you later.”
“Where are you going?”
“The zoo.”
“By yourself?”
I headed for the door. “Yep.”
A heavy sigh. “Give me ten minutes to get a few things sorted. I’ll come with you.”
“Funny.”
“I don’t joke, remember. Ten minutes.”
I came to a halt and turned to stare at him. “Wait, you’ll go to the zoo?”
A line formed between his brows as he crossed to me. “You think I have something against animals?”
