Page 49 of Toxic Things I Love About You

“Can I get you a coffee? Looks like you two have a lot to talk about.”

Roman glared like he’d never glared before.

“I’ll take that as a no. Well, miss? If you need anything, just let me know.”

He was smart and walked away.

“Thanks. It was nice meeting you. Maybe I’ll see you around,” I said, as he gave me an odd little salute.

“No, she won’t,” said Roman in response, and he sat across from me.

“Well, now that you killed my appetite, I will take this to go. Bye.”

Roman reached for my wrist.

“Roman, let me go or I will scream and attract a whole lot of attention.”

He did as I asked, and I walked away. If I went back to my apartment, there would be any number of guards to keep me from leaving. I’d be escorted to and from meetings. I’d have my entire existence planned out, and while that might include a few sketchy things here and there, I’d only have my daddy’s spirit and Gertie to keep me company. Neither was how I saw my days going.

I got as far as the door before he caught me.

“Emilee, this is ridiculous. I’ve never tried to control you. Guide you, sure. But I—”

I turned around and put my finger on his lips.

“Stop. Just stop. I just need me time. I’ve been told what to do and who I am for my entire life. I’ve been told who I was going to marry and what brand of shoes I’d wear to every event, from my birthday to every public venue. Are you just the right guy at the right time? I just want my own time. Stay away, for now.”

And he let me go.

The thing was? I didn’t feel all that much better as I sipped on the new, more simple drink. I wasn’t sure it fit me either. Still, this was my first decision I’d made for myself that wasn’t to spite someone. Was Roman?

My phone buzzed again, and I reached for it.

It was an unknown number, so why not just answer? Maybe I needed car insurance?

“Hello?”

I wasn’t sure how far I’d walked, but when I peered back at the coffee shop and Roman, they were nowhere to be seen.

“Ah, wonderful. Emilee.”

It took me a second to figure out whose voice I was hearing.

“Vinny? Is that you?”

There was a little laugh on the other end of the phone.

“It is you. So nice to hear from you. How did you get this number?”

“A gentleman doesn’t reveal his sources, does he? I just wanted a little chat alone.”

A car honked at someone as it whizzed by and buses squeaked as they stopped.

“I don’t think this is really alone, is it?”

“No. Certainly not. I’ll have a car meet you at the corner of 1st and Cresthill. That should be one block from where you are now.”

I looked at the street sign and noticed the streets that were numbered.

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