Page 41 of Boarded Hearts

I screw my face up. “No danger of that. The devil’s food.”

“What?” She stops in front of me. “Your lack of pizza topping sophistication is disappointing, and since you can count on one hand the number of takeaways you’ve had, I say my knowledge is superior.”

“Well, pizza rookie or not, you’re stuck with me now, woman.”

I haul her over my shoulder using one arm to carry her the rest of the way to her apartment, and I fight back the urge to bite her perfect, round ass resting just next to my face. She squeals and tries to break free, but she’s so light, she’s not going anywhere. I even manage to complete the order with my other hand.“I’ve put black olives on the pizza, but you should know I wouldn’t do that for anyone else.”

Her tiny fists beat on my back in mock protest. “Oh, I’m such a lucky girl.”

“Hell, yes you are.” But not half as lucky as me.

FELICITY

“Felicity?”

Jon comes to a complete stop as we reach the third floor, my ass in the air and back to my apartment door. I recognize that voice, one that racks a cold shiver through me.

“And you are?” Jon asks, his tone suspicious.

“I could ask you the exact same thing.”

It’s Elliot. I wouldn’t miss that self-assured, superior tone anywhere.

Jon pulls me off his shoulder and sets me down so I’m standing beside him, though I’m still pressed firmly to his side. “What are you doing here, Elliott?” I sound exasperated, and I am. Seeing Elliott outside my door is the last thing I need.

“I’ve been calling and texting you for the past three days,” he snipes.

“Can we just go inside?” I step away from Jon, opening my front door. “I don’t want to make a scene here.”

“I’m not making a scene.”

Once inside, I kick off my boots and stride down the hallway toward the kitchen before turning to Elliott. “What can I do for you? I thought you were in Oxford, and where’s Darcy?”

“I’ve been back here for the last couple of days, checking in with the fund manager’s performance and making sure all is going smoothly since I left. Darcy is with Liam like she always is,” Elliott replies, all the while keeping an eye on Jon, who’s standing in the kitchen entryway, fists balled at his sides. “You haven’t answered my calls, and I need to talk to you. I fly back home tomorrow, so you left me no choice but to come to your apartment and wait.”

I look to Jon, who’s barely moved from his position, continuing to stare Elliott down.I drop my bag on the counter, still not meeting Elliott’s eyes. “You told me whatever you had to say has nothing to do with Darcy or Jack, and our divorce has been finalized. I don’t see what more there is to talk about.”

He deflects my statement, angling his head toward Jon instead. “Who’s this guy?”

“I’m her boyfriend.” He comes to stand beside me, wrapping a strong protective arm around my waist.

That’s the second time he’s referred to himself as my boyfriend tonight, and I kind of like it. Even if we both know it’s not true and he’s saying it only for my benefit.

Elliott looks to Jon and then back to me, his jaw agape. “You’re joking, right?” His voice is laced with pitying amusement.

I don’t deny it and decide to follow Jon’s lead. I want Elliott out of my apartment as quickly as possible and this seems like the best plan. “What do you want?” I ask again.

“Seriously. You’re with him?” Elliott looks to the ground, his hands coming to his hips as he shakes his head in disbelief. “What, are you having some sort of mid-life crisis now, Felicity? Messing around with dumb jocks? Jesus, you’ve really let yourself go?—”

It happens faster than I can register.

Jon is across the kitchen and in his face, pinning him against the wall with one arm under his chin, his other fist bunched at his side, ready to unleash.“What did you just say to her, asshole?”

Elliott’s eyes go wide, a terrified look strewn across his face. “Let go of me you thug.”

“It’s okay, Jon,” I reassure him, although I’m shaking with anger myself.Drawing in a steadying breath, I decide to ask Elliott one final time. “Why are you here?”

Now released from Jon’s hold, although very much still under his towering gaze, he brushes himself off, straightening out his collar. “I want to talk to you in private.”

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