Page 14 of Chasing Danger

Oliver quickly snapped the sketchbook closed. “Forget about that. It’s, um... that was just... sorry.”

Propping my elbows on the table, I let my chin rest atop my laced fingers. “I’m flattered. Does this mean you see me as a work of art?”

Oliver scowled at me, sticking out his lower lip in a way that begged me to bite it.

“They say fishing for compliments is a sign of insecurity.”

My grin turned sharp and just a bit lecherous. “What do you say? Do you think I’m insecure?”

He honestly studied me for a moment as if he was actually considering the possibility. “No,” he eventually concluded. “You’re spoiled and you like teasing other people too much.”

I scoffed. “Spoiled? Hardly. I’ll have you know, my parents only let me have two ponies growing up. All my friends had at least three.”

Finishing off the last swallow of his drink, Oliver rolled his eyes at me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize your childhood was full of such suffering.”

The sarcasm in his voice couldn’t have been more obvious.

Worry flashed over his face for a moment, causing his scars to pull at the edges of healthy skin. He must have worried that he’d offended me. If I was actually as insecure as he implied, I would have been.

Luckily, I’d always had a very healthy ego, so I just laughed.

“In all honesty, you’re probably right. I was a spoiled little brat. I threw a tantrum every time I lost at tag or hide-and-seek.” Taking a risk, I reached out and grabbed Oliver’s hand, letting my thumb press against the pulse point of his wrist. “That hasn’t really changed. I still prefer to get my way. I’ve just moved on to more adult games.”

Under my thumb, I felt Oliver’s pulse flutter. His breath became shallow and uneven, and he stared down at our joined hands like he didn’t quite know what he was looking at.

Then, unexpectedly, his brow furrowed, and he grabbed my wrist to bring my watch closer to his face. “Crap. Is that really the time?” He stood up so quickly that his chair toppled over, and he scanned the store. “I can’t believe you let me ramble on so long. Thank God no one came in. Usually, we’re super busy this time of day.”

No one would be coming in so long as Gavriil and Eva were guarding the place, but Oliver didn’t need to know that. Instead, I just grabbed his hand again, forcing him to look at me.

“Don’t say that. I like listening to you talk. I definitely want to hear more. Let me take you to dinner. What time do you get off work?”

After such a pleasant conversation, I thought I had the other man locked down. Yet, to my surprise, Oliver suddenly turned shifty and pulled away from me.

“That, um... won’t be possible. I don’t get off work until late.”

I kept a firm grip on his hand. Not so much that he couldn’t get away if he tried, but enough to make it clear that I wasn’t giving up so easily.

“It doesn’t have to be tonight. Any time will do.”

Taking a deep breath, Oliver picked up his toppled chair and perched on the very edge like he was ready to run at a moment’s notice.

“Look. What you’re suggesting sounds... really nice, but I can’t. I work a lot, and when I’m not working I have to be home. Earlier, I mentioned my brother is sick, right? Well, he has Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He needs round the clock care, but an at home nurse is expensive. My mother also works long hours, so whenever I’m not working I have to look after my brother in order to cut down on costs. So, I’m sorry. I’d like to go out with you, but... I can’t.”

Perhaps it was the shock of rejection that loosened my tongue. Not many people said no to me so I didn’t have much practice forhow to handle it. Whatever the reason, I found myself speaking before I’d even thought about what to say.

“Bring him along.”

Oliver jerked in surprise, knocking over his thankfully empty cup. “What?”

The shock on his face mirrored my own feelings, but once the words were out of my mouth I couldn’t take them back. My only option was to push forward with as much feigned confidence as possible. “You have to look after your brother when you’re not at work. All right. Bring him along. We can make a day of it.”

Oliver stared at me in shock, his petal pink lips hanging open as he tried and failed to form words. “Why... you’re... are you sure?”

Was I sure?

Absolutely not.

This whole situation was so far off my usual script, I had no idea what I was doing.

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