Page 71 of David's Proposal

I find him with a shoulder pressed into the exterior wall, a bottle of wine in hand, and in a strange mood.

He searches my eyes as if wanting to know if I’m all right and also whether something has happened since I left.

“Something happened?” I ask, not concealing my surprise.

I didn’t expect him to be here. Honestly.

That’s unexpected.

Holding the lapels of my robe with one hand, I take the bottle of wine from him and pivot, heading back inside.

He pushes off the wall and follows me into the house.

“Don’t turn the lights on,” he says when I reach the kitchen and get ready to do just that.

The sheer light traveling into the house from outside is enough to navigate the small space.

I set the bottle on the counter and open the cupboard.

“I’ll get them,” he says, closing the distance between us.

“Up there on the top shelf,” I say.

He retrieves two glasses and uncorks the bottle of wine before filling them.

I take my glass and gesture to him to go to the couch.

He places his drink on the table, takes off his jacket, and drapes over the armrest before we both sit down.

I have my legs folded under me as I look at him.

“I thought we’d see each other tomorrow,” I say and take a sip of wine.

He seems sunk in thought before flicking his eyes to me and giving me a smile.

“I thought that too. How was your ride home?” he asks, picking up his drink and bringing it to his lips.

“It was good,” I say while he studies me from above the rim of his glass.

“I saw you got some help with finding a cab,” he tosses at me, and a spike of warmth sweeps through me.

He saw me talk to Vale?

The voice in my head makes faces at me as if she can’t talk right now. I usually can’t make her shut up.

But I know what her making faces at me means.

So David Moore is jealous?

“Yes. Yes, I did.”

“Who was that guy?” he asks, his elbows propped on his knees, his drink dangling from his hand, his eyes trained on mine.

“He works there.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Obviously, he’s not impressed with my answer.

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