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“I was going for reasons to loathe because this man loathes me.”
“I find it hard to believe a heterosexual male can loathe you,” he said as we crossed the street.
Wilder made no attempt to hide that he thought I was attractive. However, he didn’t push me for more than friendship. He seemed to get that I wasn’t there yet in my new life.
“Trust me, this one does,” I told him.
“Even after you flashed him that dimple?” he asked as he stepped in front of me and opened the door to our favorite Italian restaurant, then moved back for me to enter.
I walked past him and inhaled deeply. I was starving, and it smelled like heaven.
Luca, the owner’s oldest son, saw us and nodded his head in greeting. “Pick a seat,” he called to us, and we headed toward the tables near the windows.
“Did you ask the guy what you did to make him hate you?” Wilder asked as he pulled out my chair for me.
I sat down. “No. I’m not allowed to ask questions. Uncle Neil’s rule.”
Wilder was frowning when he took the seat across from me. “Strange rule.”
I didn’t elaborate. It wasn’t like I could explain it anyway. The rules were in place for a reason.Don’t talk about themwas one of the rules.
“Sarah is coming this weekend, right?” I wanted to change the subject.
He nodded. “Yep. We need to go by the store on the way back and get your baking supplies. It’s cupcakes this weekend. She wanted me to tell you so you’d be prepared.”
I smiled. “Perfect. Icing is my favorite.”
Luca arrived with both of our waters and Wilder’s favorite beer. “Are we doing pizza?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” Wilder replied.
“The usual?”
Wilder nodded.
When Luca left again, he turned back to me. “I have a thing next week. Dinner with a new client and his wife. They told me to bring a date, and, well, you know I’m not currently dating anyone,” Wilder began. “Any chance you’d go with me? It’s Tuesday night at seven.”
This wouldn’t be the first time I’d done this for him. He rarely dated. The last woman he had gone out with more than once was Kelly, the redhead. They had lasted almost two months. He didn’t have a reason for their breakup other than it just hadn’t worked for them.
“Of course,” I agreed.
We talked about his work, and he told me a funny story about one of his employees. I was finally able to relax again after today. The pizza arrived, and I took my piece from the buffalo chicken side. Wilder preferred the cheeseburger, but he would eat both. Which was why this had become our go-to order here.
I was on my second bite when I looked out the window and saw Huck standing outside my apartment building, scowling with his arms crossed over his chest. Why was he there? I put the pizza down, feeling my stomach knot up. I couldn’t think of one reason he’d have come to find me. I hadn’t done anything wrong today. I wasn’t even coming back. They had made it clear I wasn’t welcome, and I’d accepted it.
I glanced at Wilder. I couldn’t tell him or explain this to him, but I also didn’t want him in danger, if there was danger. Uncle Neil had said to me more than once that the people living in the house with Gage were not to be crossed. I hadn’t crossed them. At least not in the last two years.
I set my slice down and turned to look at Huck again, thinking I should call my uncle. The door to the building opened, and the sight of Trinity gave me a little relief. He wouldn’t have brought her if I was in trouble. At least, I didn’t think he would.
She was saying something to him, and he placed his hand on her lower back in a possessive way. They began walking toward a black SUV that was on the side of the road. It wasn’t until he opened the door for her that he lifted his gaze, and it locked with mine.
I froze, unsure if this was bad or not. He looked directly at me, then swung his eyes to Wilder. I needed to call Uncle Neil. Wilder didn’t need to be in the middle of this. I didn’t know these people or what they were after.
Huck finally climbed inside the vehicle, and it pulled back onto the road. I let out a sigh of relief and turned my attention back to Wilder. He was texting with a smile I recognized on his face.
“Tell her I’ll get the pink sprinkles,” I told him.
He glanced up and grinned, then began texting again.
