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Nico drags my body in front of him so his nose is a foot away from mine. “On a scale of one to ten, how hungry are you?”
“I don’t know.” I lean my head on his chest and inhale the scent of his cologne. “Probably an eight.”
“An eight!” Nico’s warm palms connect with my cheeks, pulling my face up to his. “We’re in there looking at skimpy bikinis during a full-blown Mayday situation?”
An ambulance rockets down the road a few feet away from us.
“What?”
He unclasps my face, wraps his fingers around my wrist, and uses his other hand to pull out his phone.
“Next time, I need you to tell me when you’re at a four out of ten so I can think ahead.” Nico gently tugs me down the street, clearing a path on the crowded sidewalk.
Think ahead?“I was at a four about two stores ago.”
He stops, his face painted with a mixture of seriousness and concern. “It’s more dire than I thought.”
“Nico, you’re making it worse. Let’s just go back to the hotel.”
He ignores me and glances at his phone. “This way.”
“Where are we going?” I whine.
My flip-flops drum against the stone walkways. We beeline deeper into town as if we’re in a high-speed chase. He guides us down the block and around a corner to a quiet street. An ocean view greets us in the vicinity.
“Come on,princesa, I got you.” He nods toward a quaint bar.
We slip onto the barstools and set down our bags. Then Nico rattles off an order to a server.
When the server sets down a pitcher of ice water, Nico shuffles around in his seat and hands me a glass.
“We could’ve gone back to the hotel. You didn’t have to go alldoomsday is upon us.” I take large gulps until the cool liquid is drained from my cup. The burgeoning wail of nerves melts beneath my skin.
“This is faster and more efficient.” He runs his thumb over the back of my hand. “Don’t worry, detective, backup is coming soon.”
I hike up my brow. “Did you order the entire menu for evidence?”
“Honestly, I panicked and asked for everything, hoping something would come out fast.”
“Well”—my mouth crooks to one side—“thanks for the rescue mission.”
“I’m trying, Lily.”
My eyes remain on the condensation rolling off our pitcher of water.
I’m trying.The words drop through me one by one before collecting in the pit of my stomach.
“Thank you, but so you know, I can take care of myself.”
“I know.” Nico brings his glass to his lips, and our stares remain locked as he finishes drinking. “It’s why learning to take care of you is much sweeter.”
* * *
“That hit the spot.”I drop back into my stool.
The tension in my body has been blissfully subdued. Over the past hour, we worked through a feast for six people.
Nico winks. “When we get back to the hotel, I can find the other spot you like just as much. If you’re ready to return to our little arrangement.”
