Page 72 of Bad Blood

The light turns green, and we continue across the street.

“What else is on the list?”

“Just this.” My eyes shift to him as we make our way onto the path leading into the park.

“That’s surprising.”

I stop, placing my hand on my hip. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Dax scratches his head, stopping a few feet ahead of me, and turns. “How is hanging out with me a bad idea?”

“It’s not. That’s not what I meant. Let’s start over.” The silence stretches, and he waits me out. I squeeze my eyes closed and count to five.

“Over?”

I close the space between us, extending my hand. “Hi. I’m Brighton.” I emphasize the use of my first name, hoping he gets the gist.

His attempts at muffling his laughter are pathetic.

“Come on.” I give him a playful shove. “I’m being serious.”

“About hurting my feelings.”

“I would never.” My laughter is light, and I try to school my expression of faux offense.

“Kidding.” He takes off further into the park. “I’m starving.”

The pond at the southeast end of the path comes into view as I follow him. He grins as he steps off the path and over the black single-chain railing.

“You can’t go back there.”

“Ask me if I give a fuck.” I get a flippant grin.

“Those are there for a reason.”

“I know.” He continues through the low-lying plants and drops onto the hilltop above them, patting the grass beside him for me to join. “You coming?”

I hesitate, at war with myself and my inane need to follow the rules. This wasn’t a good idea. I pull my fingers to my mouth and nibble on a nail. My eyes bounce from Dax to the people passing beside me on the path.

“There’s no ‘barrier police’ in the park. At least not this one,” he says, frustration lacing his words because of my indecision. He unties his bag and pulls out the tray. He goes about preparing a wasabi and soy sauce mixture before ripping open a set of chopsticks. He smirks, stuffing an entire slice of sushi into his mouth. “Mmm.”

Now’s my chance. If I’m going to make a run for it, I’ve got to do it now. Not only should I heed Luca’s warning, but it’s not smart to get involved with Dax any more than I already am.

I open my mouth to protest when he groans in satisfaction, and it’s one of the most enticing sounds I’ve ever heard.

He pretends his sushi is the best thing to touch his tastebuds with an over-the-top emphasis on savoring it as he chews.

And it almost works.

The rustle of a bush a few feet behind me sets my decision in motion. I narrow my eyes to see what it is but decide I couldn’t care less. A shiver races up my back as the hair lifts on the back of my neck. I can’t shake the feeling of being watched. I swing my leg over the chain and rush through the plants, dropping a couple of feet away from Dax on the grass.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I thought I saw someone. Just my overactive imagination playing tricks on me.” I untie my bag, yank out my tray, and grab a plastic-wrapped fork.

“You’re joking.” He gazes past me, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

“Nope. Starving.” I pause, trying to get my heart to stop galloping in my chest. I gaze between the tray in my right hand and the fork in my left. I shake my head and shift my gaze to anything besides the man staring at me.

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