Page 200 of The Last Good Man

“That apartment feels perfectfor me. It takes my mind away from men and having a serious relationship right now.” I flick my hand up. “What you’re saying about them makes perfect sense to me,” I add quickly. “But I don’t know where to find those men. Anyway, it might not be in the cards for me. If that’s the case, I’mfinewith it.”

‘There was urgency in Jax London’s approach,’ the voice inside my head points out in a phony meek tone.

If only I could swat that little bugger away.

Yes, the voice is right. And now, I’m wondering why.

What was Jax’s plan? Did he want me to be a mafia wife? Drag me into a life of crime?

And is that really out of the question?

Everything he’s done to me… The way he barged into my existence, staked his claim and gave me gifts.

He is not the kind of man who pussyfoots around a woman, or anyone else, for that matter.

And why do I like it so much?

I’m frankly appalled with my tastes in men.

“Then buy the damn apartment,” my mother says. “Get busy with that, and let life surprise you. Maybe you’re right. Men are overrated anyway,” she jokes.

I struggle to laugh, sneaking a glance at Jax’s table.

The server brings their food while he pushes the chair back and rises from his seat.

My first reaction is to duck under the table, and I stifle it at the last moment.

Oh, shit. Where is he going?

I flick my eyes across the restaurant.He seems to be moving toward the exit.

Why?

Is he leaving?

Or are they waiting for someone, and he’s going there to pick them up?

I hope it’s not a woman.

That would complicate things.

“I think I need to use the restroom,” I say, bringing my eyes back to my motherjustas she notices my lack of focus again.

“All right,” she says. “Do you want me to order dessert?”

“Yes, please. Chocolate mousse pie for me. It’s the best.”

With that, I slide out of my seat and quickly walk away.

MELODY

I spend too much time in the bathroom, trying to think things through whilegetting more confused than ever.

I knew he was bad news. I knew he would tear me apart, yet the more I think about his life, the more drawn I am to him, which makes no sense.

I usually make more sense than that, yet here I am.

Thinking about him makes my pulse race and my knees shake.

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