Page 58 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I frown. How’s that funny?

They’re mocking my sensitivity.

I don’t appreciate it. Too much attention on me. But I keep silent.

My gaze slides to the sauce simmering, the fish grilling on the pan, and finish on the plates Corey is getting out of the cupboard.

That’s why I don’t like spending time with my family. Always trying to fit in, never quite succeeding. I want their attention, but not directly.

Plates are passed, forks clink against ceramic, and soon enough, everyone is seated around the dining table. The lemon and dill meld perfectly with the tender halibut, creating a symphony of flavors, leading me to close my eyes, but then, I remember the teasing and open them, carefully eating in silence.

“Marianne,” Nina calls softly, drawing me back to the present. “This is delicious.”

I give a small smile, nodding toward Corey. “All thanks to him.”

Corey chuckles, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “Team effort.”

Kai’s fork pauses midair, his eyes still locked on me. “You two make a good team.”

“We’ve had years of practice,” Corey says, winking at me. “Marianne used to mess up a lot but learned quickly.”

My father’s words still ring inside my brain.

“No wonder Celeste left us; you’re impossible to deal with.”

I learned quickly to be more digestible.

Nina laughs. “Remember the time she burned the garlic bread?”

Corey groans playfully. “How could I forget? The whole house smelled like smoke for days.”

Kai chuckles, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Just take her away from me, Corey. I’ll send you some cash.”

My hands tighten around my fork, the metal digging into my skin. I take a deep breath.

It’s just teasing.

Nothing harmful.

But when Kai’s laughter dies down, his eyes linger on me with a hint of something deeper—concern? Curiosity? It’s hard to tell. I push my food around the plate.

Nina’s voice breaks the awkward silence. “What time do you want to be at the fair?”

I glance at my fake boyfriend.Please take me away from here.But expectations are the fastest and surest way to be disappointed.

Corey clears his throat. “You should go get ready, chickadee. We’ll handle the dishes.”

I nod, grateful for the excuse to escape. Pushing my chair back, I stand and flash a tight smile around the table. “Thanks.”

The clatter of dishes and the low hum of the conversation follow me as I navigate to my room. In the quiet of my space, free from their teasing eyes, I lean against the door and breathe.

I shoot a side eye at my suitcase. “Is he worth it?” I ask, thinking about the short summer dress hiding among my regular clothes.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I grab the floozy fabric and pull it out of its confines.

It’s so beautiful, and I almost feel unworthy of it.Almost.

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