Page 19 of Vicious Sentiments

After a few moments of him lounging against the hood, every bit as drapey and statue-like as Margo accused, my breathing levels and I sag.I examine his eyes that haven’t left mine. There’s no anger, no hidden cruelty. They are soft and reassuring, almost pained. Embarrassment burns my cheeks.

I swallow against my dry tongue and mouth.I’m sorry.I mouth to him.

He shakes his head and pushes himself up. He motions to his left, to my door, cocking his head in question and I nod weakly.

He comes to the window and braces himself above it, leaning down. He twirls a finger and I roll the window down.

“Are you feeling better?” he asks.

I nod.

“Are you sure? Because you can shimmy over the center and drive away if you want. I can call an Uber.”

The offer fills me with shame and I want him to know I would never do that but can’t bring myself to say so.

“I don’t have a license.” I use it as an excuse.

His brows raise. “Oh, so you were thinking about it,” he chuckles.

“No!” I protest.

“No, that’s alright.” He smiles. “Go ahead. Take the car. I just ask you to hand me my phone first.” He points to his seat, where I notice it lies. “Otherwise, I’ll have to walk and might stumble across another girl to take home with me.”

“No—” I start.

“Oh, you don’t want me to bring another girl home?”

“No, I—”

“I mean, she probably wouldn’t be as pretty as you.”

“That’s not what I—”

“But if you want me all to yourself, I understand.”

“Julian.”

“No. No. I understand. It’s okay. I’m a one-woman man anyways.” He rests his forearms on the window sill and his chin on his arms. His smile is so big that I can’t help but feel my own cheeks rise and I purse my lips to try and stop them.

There’s mischief in his eyes and I hold them in battle. He’s being childish and I feel something similar bubbling within me. I want tobe playful back, give a good quip, but being silly isn’t something I’m accustomed to and I don’t know what to say.

It leaves us staring back at each other in silence, a warm tension brewing that makes me want to close the distance between us.

A second later, the moment is gone. His smile smooths out and his eyes slowly grow serious.

“I would never hurt you. Not ever,” he says.

I nod but don’t say anything. I want to believe him, but I don’t think I can.

“Okay,” he sighs, and I think he knows I’m not convinced. “You sure you’re alright?”

“Yes,” my voice cracks and I clear my throat. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what that was.”

“I’d say it was a panic attack.” He frowns and then taps the sill. “But I bet you’re pretty hungry now.” He pushes himself up.

Chapter Sixteen

The sun dips past the horizon as we pull up to our destination, and a valet person takes the key fob from Julian. He helps me out of the car and his palm is warm in mine. soothing, despite my earlier panic. There’s only a sidewalk and a velvet rope, but when I look up, I see that the restaurant is every bit as fancy as I anticipated. It’s three stories of glass that, looking in, reveals a dim and cozy atmosphere.

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