I glance between them. “Was that team bonding or violence?”
“Yes,” Talia says.
Anthony drops into the remaining chair, holding approximately twelve mini-muffins. “Nobody panic,” he says. “I saved the blueberry.”
“From what?” Talia asks.
“Other people.”
Fuze appears behind us, carrying another plate. Another. Plate.
“Are you stocking up for winter?” Toni asks.
Fuze sits heavily. “Training table rules.”
“That’s four croissants.”
“These are emotional support croissants.”
Talia is openly crying and laughing now. And to my surprise, Toni is too. Small at first. Then real. I’m caught off guard by it. The smile gradually softens into a warmer, more intimate expression. My heart beats faster. “Oh no,” Talia whispers. “That look again.”
“What look?”
“The one where you forget you’re trying not to fall in love with him.”
Toni drops her forehead into her hand. My soul departs from my physical body. Across the table, Lucas nearly inhales coffee wrong, trying not to laugh. Which becomes significantlyworse when Talia reaches over automatically and pats his back twice without thinking. Lucas goes completely still.
Fuze notices instantly. “Oh my God,” he breathes.
“No,” Trey says immediately, sensing danger. Too late.
Fuze points dramatically between Lucas and Talia. “ANOTHER ONE.”
The entire table erupts. Talia chokes on coffee. Lucas looks delighted. Anthony is filming now because of course he is.
“I hate this team,” Trey mutters.
“No you don’t,” Toni says affectionately.
And the horrifying part is: she’s right.
Chapter Eighteen
Toni Amato
“I don’t need help getting dressed.”
“You absolutely do,” Elena says, already halfway inside my closet like she pays rent here. I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her hold up two dresses like she’s judging a beauty pageant.
“One says competent professional,” she says, lifting the black one.
“That’s the goal.”
“The other says mysterious woman with secrets who drinks expensive liquor and ruins men’s lives.” She lifts the deep emerald one. I hesitate. She smiles. “Ah. That’s the one.”
“I am not ruining anyone’s life.”
“Not yet.”
