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“Why are you engaged?” I pull my hand back.

“There’s a reason.”

“Yeah? Tell me.” I cross my arms. What possible reason could there be for his engagement to Esther Whitman if he’s here with me right now?

“It’s… complicated.”

A small part of me wants to believe him, to trust the sincerity I see in his striking features. But the larger, more cynical part reminds me of the sting of betrayal, of how easily I was fooled by another charming man’s empty promises not so long ago.

“That’s not an answer.” I place my hand on the table. “You can’t show up here while you’re engaged to someone else and expect me to…” I’m not even sure what he expects from me.

“You deserve an explanation. But not here and not now.”

“When?”

“After our dinner.”

Could he indeed have a valid reason for being engaged to Esther while pursuing… whatever this is with me? I’ve always prided myself on being a good judge of character… before Oliver. Maybe my radar is still off, and perhaps there is more to this situation than I realize.

My stomach rumbles. I haven’t eaten since the measly salad at lunch.

“Well, I am starving. We might as well eat while we’re here.” I pick up the menu. “But you’d better have one hell of an explanation for all this after dinner.”

Elijah signals for the waiter. “I already ordered for us when I saw your date was a dead loss.”

I place the menu back down as a waiter arrives with two heaping plates of pasta carbonara. My mouth waters at the sight. It smells incredible.

I twirl some noodles around my fork and take a bite. The medley of flavors—salty pancetta, creamy egg sauce, nutty Parmesan—explodes on my tongue. I close my eyes, savoring the taste.

“Good?”

I swallow and open my eyes to find him watching me intently.

“What did you say to him?” I point at Elijah with my fork.

“Who? Benjamin?”

“Yeah.”

The corners of his lips turn up, slow and wolfish. “Let’s say I can be very…persuasive when motivated.”

“Tell me.”

“He’s driving around in his boss’s car. A friend of mine who surely doesn’t know his car is used that way.”

A laugh bursts out of me despite my attempts to hold it back. Elijah looks pleased, raising an eyebrow at my reaction.

“That is wrong.” I school my features into a stern expression. “Blackmail is so wrong.”

“Simple misunderstanding.” Elijah clinks his wine glass with mine.

I take a sip of wine, watching him over the rim of my glass. “So you happen to have connections to his boss?”

“I have connections everywhere.” The intensity of his gaze makes me shiver. “It comes in handy.”

“I can’t decide if I’m impressed or concerned.”

“A little of both?” He grins before taking a bite.

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