Page 372 of Dark Love

“That sounds weird.” Very, very weird.

“It’s strangely delicious. I don’t cook very often, so you need to take advantage of one of the meals I do make.”

“Avocado toast doesn’t involve cooking. It’s more like preparing.” Interesting food tempts me more than it should.

“Don’t nitpick. Now, do you need to smell the cocoa, or are you going to be a good girl and eat your breakfast?”

“I hate breakfast. Does it really taste good?”

“Forest Explorer’s honor.”

There’s no way Vex was a Forrest Explorer. I giggle. “I still hate breakfast. And I’m really late for work. How about I just take the cup and leave you the green stuff?”

“No deal.” Vex moves the cocoa away. “One bite for one sip.”

My nose wrinkles. “I’m going to be late.” But I don’t want to leave either.

“That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.” He swirls the cocoa around.

“Has anyone told you that you’re devious and slightly evil?” We both know I’m going to cave.

“On a nice day.”

“Well, they’d be right. Hand me the plate. But if I don’t like it, I’m spitting it out, regardless of how unladylike that is.”

“Duly noted.”

Who am I kidding? I’m not going to spit it out. My mother would know. She always knows when I do something wrong. The thick slice of bread is crusty and slightly warm. There’s a crunch from the granola and sweet but slightly acidic dressing. The salty and spicy pastrami balances out the creamy avocado. “That’s actually good.”

“I told you it was.”

“Were you really going to hold my cocoa hostage?”

His lips tip up. “Yup.”

“I’m still not sure about all those clothes.”

“You don’t need to be yet.”

Yet?!? I lift the toast to my mouth.

“Give me your phone while you eat.”

My phone?

“Dahlia, whatever this weekend was, I don’t want this to be the last time I see you.”

“You don’t?”

“No. I don’t. So, while you eat, I’m going to put my number in your phone. Then you’re going to go to work, and after that, I’m going to message you to make arrangements for us to see each other again.”

How do I respond to that? Yes, absolutely! I want to see you again. But what a smart person would do is walk out the door without a word.

Be practical. He’s a crime lord.

Be logical. You two would never work together.

Be smart. I slide the phone across the bar to him and take another bite.

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