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Enzo cracks his neck. “He’s a fuck-up.” His shoulders drop as he exhales a breath. “I tried to straighten him out, but it didn’t work. He should’ve worked with me because he could’ve made a fuck ton more money, but you can lead a horse to water, right?” His voice is softer, but I don’t miss the undertones. He runs his hand over the top of his head and averts his eyes from me. “I have work to get back to.”

“I can go…”

“You can stay, or I can drive you back to your dad’s.”

“No, I’ll stay if you want me.” I pause, and my heart thuds hard in my chest. “I feel like I need to ask…if you’re on anything.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters. “No. I just have a fuck ton of work to do, Tilly.”

“Fine, fine.” I back away and head for the stairs.

“Till, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Go back to work. Is it cool if I take a shower?”

“Yeah, of course. Need anything? Water, a snack?” he asks.

I just shake my head. “No thanks, I’m good.” I tap my fingers on the wooden banister of the stairs. “Night, E.”

* * *

The next morning, I wake up naked next to Enzo. We didn’t have sex last night, and I passed out alone. Now he’s lightly snoring next to me, and I wonder what time he came to bed. I plant my feet on the cool hardwood and pad to the bathroom. I wasn’t expecting to be here last night, so I don’t have a change of clothes or my toiletries.

Dad’s going to give me so much shit if I go home in last night’s dress.

He’s going to give me shit regardless because of how many nights I’ve spent not under his roof this summer. But at least Enzo gave me a brush head replacement for his electric toothbrush, so I can swap his for mine. It’s lucky he has long hair because I find detangling spray in the medicine cabinet, and my hair’s a rat’s nest.

Enzo walks into the bathroom, yawning. “Hey,” he says.

“Hey,” I reply, brushing through my ends. “I borrowed toothpaste.” He just smiles as he pulls on a pair of basketball shorts. “And your brush. Get your work done?”

“Yeah, mostly. By the way, I’m sorry for being so grumpy last night. You really caught me off guard,” he adds.

I pluck my hair from his brush and return it to the drawer where it belongs. “It’s okay.”

“You have some clothes in the laundry room,” he says as if he read my mind.

“Oh, that’s right! I forgot I had some in your hamper.”

“Washed and folded on top of the dryer.”

I wrap my arms around his waist. “Thank you. You’re the best.” He leans down and pecks me on the lips. “Would you be able to give me a ride home?”

He frowns. “Yep, I need to grab something from the office, anyway. Will you come back tonight?” he asks, rubbing the back of my shoulders.

“Of course.”

“Good. No work tonight. I’m yours,” he says.

I stare into his impossibly dark eyes. “I thought you were always supposed to be mine.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Enzo

“How much do you trust me?” I ask, resting my elbows on the table, fingers laced together.

Tilly’s arm slows as she brings her wine glass to her lips. “Why?” she asks before taking a sip.