Page 419 of Savage Bosses

His Tati was back. He wasn’t dreaming. This wasn’t an alcohol-induced hallucination. She was really back. He’d touched her, had felt her skin against his fingertips. She’d really been in his mother’s café… until he’d kicked her out. He ignored the guilt that drummed through him.

He refused to look back, though everything in him pushed him to do so. He knew she was watching him, and a part of him wanted her to beg him to let her back in. If she did so, would he open the door for her? Or would he let her stay out there, away from him, where she belonged?

"Hey Bryce," Melinda cooed, sidling up beside him, her scent sickly sweet. He gritted his teeth, annoyed at her presence. She was like a pesky mosquito, always buzzing around him when all he wanted was to be left alone.

"Melinda," he muttered, not bothering to hide his irritation.

The last thing he wanted right now was to deal with her, especially since their fathers were pushing for a marriage between them. Marriage? The thought made him want to gag. He didn't need a wife, especially not one like her, needy and manipulative.

"Isn't it such a beautiful day?" Melinda asked, batting her eyelashes and trying to engage him in conversation.

Bryce clenched his jaw, refusing to let her know that she was getting under his skin. Instead, he glanced back outside, desperate to catch another glimpse of Tatianna.

"Sure, whatever," he replied dismissively.

He noticed the way Melinda leaned closer to him as her gaze drifted to the glass door. Was Tatianna watching them? A wicked idea formed in his mind. Turning back to Melinda, he smirked.

"You look nice today." It was a blatant lie, but he hoped it would have the desired effect.

"Really?" Melinda's voice took on a hopeful tone, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "Thank you, Bryce."

She went on to tell him what designer store she'd purchased her outfit from. This was why he could never be with her. She was all empty talk and smiles. There was nothing substantial about her.

He fought back a grimace, knowing that he was playing with fire by flirting with her. Once the flame was ignited, it would be hard to put it out. But if Tatianna was going to waltz back into his life after breaking his heart, then he was damn well going to make her suffer. And if that meant using Melinda, so be it.

"I'm glad you noticed that I was wearing a new outfit," Melinda cooed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he replied, his voice dripping with false sincerity as he tried his best to maintain a straight face.

Bryce continued to stare down at Melinda, knowing that Tatianna was watching from outside. He couldn't stand the sight of Melinda, but if it would make Tatianna jealous, it was worth the torture.

"You have something on your cheek," he lied, reaching down to brush a nonexistent speck away.

"Really?" Melinda giggled, her cheeks flushing with color under his touch. She looked up at him, batting her eyelashes and trying to hold his gaze as her friends whispered about how sweet they looked together.

Sweet as poisoned honey,Bryce thought. It took all of Bryce's self-control not to shove her away from him. The fact that their fathers were pushing for them to marry disgusted him. He would never take a wife. Never.

"Is it off?" Melinda whispered.

"It is. Must've been remnants of your dessert," he mumbled.

"Thank you, Bryce," Melinda replied, still blushing.

"Whatever," he murmured dismissively, glancing over his shoulder to see how angry his actions had made Tati, only to find her walking away from the cafe.

He cursed under his breath, anger and frustration bubbling within him. Bryce watched as Tatianna strode toward her car, her hips swaying with a confidence that made his gut twist. She was just as sexy as he remembered.

And he remembered everything about this woman. His heart wouldn't let him forget, no matter how hard he tried to. As she drove past the cafe door, she smiled and raised her middle finger, flicking him off. This motherfucker! She didn't seem jealous at all.

"Is everything okay?" Melinda asked, her concern sounding genuine for once. But Bryce didn't care. Thoughts of Tatianna consumed him. Had he put on this show for nothing? Had she not seen any of it?

"Bryce, are you okay?" Melinda asked again.

"I'm fine," he snapped, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "I need to get back to work."

"Of course," Melinda replied, clearly taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor. But she didn't push the issue. Instead, she backed away slowly, giving him space to brood over the woman who had once held his heart. Or so he thought.

"Can you believe your mom hired Tatianna Dupree?" Melinda chattered as she followed him, oblivious to his growing irritation.

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