Page 21 of Unexpected Temptation

“It’s definitelynotnothing,” she quickly says. “Oh my giddy aunt, thereissomebody, isn’t there?”

“Did you just say,oh my giddy aunt?”

“Donotchange the subject.”

“Seriously, it’s … I don’t even know.”

“But it’s something. Some. Thing.” She enunciates each word. “That, my dear Maya, is a huge, huge development. So please don’t downplay it.”

“What is something, really, Rye?” I say. “If I look at my boss, and my boss looks at me, and he sort of shudders, and I read into it, does that count? Because I don’t think it should.”

“Steamy eye contact with your boss?Nowwe’re talking.”

“It wasn’t steamy.”

“But you like him?”

I shrug, trying not to make it seem like a big deal. Nothing has happened romantically. “He’s been so, so good to me. He basically saved Mom and me, but it’s not like that.”

“How old is he?” Riley asks in that way she has, which makes it seem like the most important question.

“I don’t know,” I mutter, getting that strange, heady feeling when I think about the creases near his eyes. “Maybe in his mid to late thirties.”

“Whoa.”

“I’ve always found it difficult to tell people’s ages anyway. Plus, there’s no need for thatwhoa, Rye. Nothing has happened. He’s just a nice guy doing a good thing.”

“Sorry, Maya, but that’s too naïve to listen to. Do you seriously think a man will do something for a lady for the hell of it?”

I try not to shiver. The thought of him grabbing me from behind one day, his powerful hands on my shoulders, leaning in with his firm, commanding voice.“You belong to me now. You’ll doexactly what I say.”I could let go just for once. I wouldn’t have to be in charge or in control.

Yet it’s just not realistic.

“So I guess he’s banging the receptionist too, then,” I say sarcastically, “because Simone is way hotter than me.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to ruin this for you.”

“The job is a handout. He wants to feel good about himself. All I can do is work hard and make sure I can look at myself in the mirror and honestly say I put real effort in.”

I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince, Riley or myself, but then her phone buzzes, and she almost leaps out of her skin. “He’s here,” she squeals. “If you still want to …”

I go to her window and look out onto the street. A limo is parked outside.

“Oh,” I mutter.

Riley walks up next to me. “What, did you think it would be a bunch of wasters in some beat-up junker? Matteo’s parents are loaded.”

“Sothat’swhy you like him,” I say, nerves dancing in my belly.

“Ha, ha. Hey, are you okay?”

The nerves twist, every instinct in my body telling me not to do this. It’s not even because of the Mob thing, even if it should be. No, it’s just the social atmosphere, the unknown.

This feels like a big night—a wild night. I’ll be safe like I was in high school. I’ll retreat to the edge of the party, even leave ifI have to, making sure Rye comes with me, again, like the old days.

“I’m fine,” I say. “Let’s get this party started.”

She takes my arm, letting a flurry of pure excited energy go. Before we leave, she gets semiserious again. “Listen, that stuff about your boss, I’m sorry. You’re probably right. I’m being pessimistic. I’m sure there are good men out there, men who actually want to help and aren’t perverts.”

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