Page 43 of Heal Me, Love Me

“Exactly.”

The guitar riff filled the car for a few seconds, then I asked, “Did you tell him about us?”

Keaton glanced at me. “No, but when it happened in LA, I told him I was with someone. Today, I reminded him, but I didn’t mention your name.”

I nodded, even though none of it sat right. If Devon chose not to respect that Keaton wasn’t interested in him, the problem wasn’t Keaton, and I had to keep telling myself that. “The whole situation is bullshit.”

“That’s one word for it, but you know I’m not interested in him. I’m not confused or tempted, and I don’t want you sitting here wondering if there’s more to it than that.”

I needed those words more than I realized. “I know.”

His hand slid toward mine across the console. I took it, and he gave me a reassuring squeeze before letting go to turn into theparking lot of a restaurant and bar I’d passed plenty of times but never gone into.

“Hope this place is good,” I told him.

He shut off the engine. “It is.”

I arched a brow. “You’ve been here?”

“No.”

“Then how do you know?”

He grinned. “I asked around.”

“You researched for our date?”

“I had standards to meet.”

“Mine or yours?”

“Both.”

I shook my head, then opened the car door. “Romantic as hell, Stafford.”

“You love it.”

I did.

I stepped out as he rounded the front of the car, and when he held out his hand, I didn’t hesitate to take it. For a moment, I forgot about Devon, Florida, and everything else that could ruin the night.

I didn’t realize I was smiling until he glanced over at me and asked, “What are you grinning about?”

“I’m just happy.”

“Yeah?” He beamed.

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

We stepped into the restaurant, and the first thing I noticed was the dark wood lining the walls, black booths filling the room, and warm lights hanging over each table. The air smelled like grilled steak, garlic, and whiskey, which immediately reminded my stomach I’d barely eaten all day.

A hostess looked up from the stand, and Keaton said, “Reservation under Stafford.”

“A reservation?” I lifted a brow.

“Standards, remember?” He chuckled.