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She let out a nervous laugh. “Honestly, I thought I’d be done with my art for good. I hadn’t thought it was possible for anyone to show any interest in my abilities. But maybe I was wrong.”
“I know you were wrong,” Mike insisted. “You could be the next Van Gogh.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” She laughed again. “Van Gogh was?—”
“A painter just like you.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Don’t put yourself down. You’re so much more than you think.”
How was it that he could say everything she’d ever wanted to hear? Mike was passionate about her in ways that no one had been before. “You’re too sweet,” she murmured.
“I’m nothing special.” Mike waved a dismissive hand through the air. “If you knew what I was capable of…” His eyes widened slightly, darting to Rose, then away.
“You mean with the tools?”
Once again, his gaze shifted to meet hers. “I don’t know what tools you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do,” she insisted. “The box of tools you’ve been arguing over with Ethan. I know something is up. You know you can tell me, right? Whatever it is, I’m not going to be mad.”
Mike scowled at the menu on the table in front of him. “I’m not going to talk about it.”
“Why? Because he’s right? Did you steal those tools?”
“I told you, I’m not going to talk about it. It’s not a big deal, okay?”
Mike shot out of his seat and strode toward the restrooms, leaving Rose feeling like her head was spinning. If there was proof of any wrongdoing, that was it. Mike had taken the tools, and he didn’t want her to know about it. It was ridiculous for him to act this way otherwise. She’d be an idiot if she didn’t come to that conclusion on her own.
She sat there, wondering what she could do to make this whole situation better, but nothing came to mind. Footsteps approached and she glanced up to find Ethan standing beside her table.
“Ethan? What are you doing here?” The last thing she needed was for Mike to come back and for them to make a scene. Everything was getting so out of hand.
“We need to talk,” Ethan murmured. “Can you come outside with me?” He glanced around as if looking for Mike. “It’s important.”
For a moment, she nearly considered turning him down. He was part of the problem. But then she gave in. Whatever he had to say, at least they could get it done and over with. Rose got up from her seat and they headed outside.
“You need to know something about Mike.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not this again. I know, okay? I get it. Mike isn’t the best example of a good man.”
Ethan shook his head. “It’s not just that. He’s… it’s like he’s obsessed with our family. It’s not just about his inability to keep his hands to himself. When we were younger, he always wanted what he couldn’t have. If he wanted a game, he took it. If he wanted new clothes, he stole them. But it’s more than that. It’s you, too.”
“Me?” She snorted. “What about me?”
“He’s always told me how lucky we were to have such a big family. It’s really weird. Mike always talked about our cousins, and about you, and anything else he was jealous that we had. Think about it.”
“Now you’re sounding crazy. I don’t care if he wants a big family,” Rose muttered. “He’s been more of a support system than anyone else who was supposed to show me that kind of love.”
“Even if he’s only interested in being with you because he wants to be part of our family?”
“What are you talking about?” Rose groaned. “If he wants to date me because he likes the way it feels to be part of what we have, then shouldn’t we support him?”
Ethan threw his hands into the air. “What if he loses interest? What if he realizes that what you have to offer isn’t what he wanted after all? And why should you settle for someone who isn’t all in for you?”
“Then we break up.” She said it simply—maybe even a little too quickly. Mike liked her. There was no way he could fake the feelings he’d been showing her.
Could he?
A knot twisted in her stomach. Of course he could. He could treat her much like he’d treated every other thing he felt entitled to. Mike was the kind of guy who took what he wanted without worrying about the consequences.
Unfortunately, the consequences would only end up hurting her. Mike would be able to walk away free and clear. Ethan was right. There was more than met the eye when it came to giving in to what her heart wanted. And she deserved a man who was in it for her.
