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I tighten my grip around the steering wheel.
I should leave. I didn’t make any promises to her. Never said I’d call.
And I can go back to that empty apartment across the street from hers tonight and see her that way.
I don’t need to go in.
A car pulls out of a metered parking spot just ahead of me, and my foot lifts itself off the brake.
CHAPTER31
Payton
Every timeI look out at the street, I think I see Nero. Every man in a suit. Every man who fills the doorway. Even when there’s no one there, I swear I see the shadows move, and I swear it’s him.
But it never is.
My cheeks round as I blow out a breath.
All the customers are settled. I’m sure someone will need something soon, but I should have a quick second to steal a drink from the coffee I have sitting in back.
The cup has just touched my lips when I hear the front door open.
“Of course,” I huff, before setting it back down. I get that they don’t want customers to see us eating or drinking, but it’ll be a miracle if I ever finish this latte.
Dusting my hands off, I hurry back toward my spot behind the counter.
I’m halfway to the register, when my gaze falls on the man striding in from the entrance. And the sight of him pulls all the breath from my body.
He’s so handsome.
Sogoddamn handsome.
His dark beard is trimmed and neat, his hair is styled perfectly back from his serious face. His shoulders are set, and his chest is broad under another perfectly tailored suit.
His eyes lock on mine and even though he’s several paces away, I know the exact shade of green that’s looking back at me. Because they’re the eyes I see when I dream.
Only this isn’t a dream. This is real life. And the first time I’ve seen him in the daylight.
Him.
Nero.
Memories of his body over mine flicker behind my eyes, and my mouth lifts into a shy smile.
“Nero!” A new voice booms from inside the cafe, startling me.
But my gaze doesn’t tear away from the man who was inside me less than forty-eight hours ago. And because I’m watching, staring, I witness the shift in his features. Witness him transforming into someone I don’t recognize at all. Something shutters closed inside of him, dimming the energy he exudes, and blocking the wildness I usually see in his eyes.
Unlike me, Nero doesn’t ignore the voice. Instead, he ignores me. Turning away from me, not acknowledging me in any way.
A pang of hurt sears into my chest, sinking deep.
You’re a nobody.
I bat the voice away as soon as it tries to take root.
It would be rude of Nero to not go say hello to whoever called out. He can go, greet his friend, then he can come back and talk to me.
