Page 74 of Broken Deal

But this is your job. And he agreed. You have to do it.

As I’m serving myself another cup of coffee, there’s a knock on my door. I frown. It’s almost 11:00 p.m., who the hell is knocking at my door at this time? I ignore it and walk back to the dining table to get back to work.

“Blue, stop ignoring me,” Lorenzo says, pounding on the door.

I grab my favorite cardigan, put it on, and open the door, crossing my arms. “I don’t have time for a booty call.”

He lifts his arms where he’s holding some takeout bags from Lorenzo’s. “I’m here to feed you. Must you always think the worst of me?” he replies jokingly, pushing me to the side and walking in. “I wasn’t sure what you were in the mood for, so I brought one of everything.”

I close the door, following after him. “The whole menu?”

He shrugs. “Yeah. I felt like cooking after a long day,” he says, shutting my laptop. “Where do you want me to put all of this?”

I stand there in shock for a moment. He thought of me and decided to cook the whole menu of his restaurant to make sure I had options. And he’s acting like it’s no big deal. This is the most thoughtful thing someone has ever done for me, well…ever. Is this how it feels being taken care of? It’s unsettling, but also nice…like I could grow used to this.

Keep it together. This is not forever, and it’s expiring sooner rather than later.

I make my way to the table, brushing his hand awayfrom my things. “I got it.” I grab all my work things, putting them in my bag. “Why are you really here, Lorenzo? It’s Friday night. Shouldn’t you be, I don’t know, partying it up and getting into bed with abimbo?”

His soft laugh echoes through the apartment as he starts opening the takeout containers. “Jealous?”

More than anything.

The idea of Lorenzo sleeping with other women makes me green with jealousy, but I will never admit it.

I shake my head a little too quickly, scrunching my nose. “We never said we were exclusive. You can sleep with whoever you want.” The lie slips out of me easily.

He stops opening the plastic container that has some delicious-looking pasta and looks at me. “Okay, it’s time you and I define this deal a little better.” He brings a chair out and tilts his head toward it. “Sit. Let’s eat and talk.”

“What have I told you about pulling chairs for me?”

“Sit.Down.” His tone is raspy and demanding, not leaving room for discussion. “I’m not above grabbing you like a sack of potatoes and dropping you on this chair.”

Why does the idea of him picking me up, caveman style, make me a puddle? My core tightens with need at the thought, ready to give in. I’m tempted to stay stubborn to see if he’ll deliver his promise. But something stops me.

He’s trying to be nice. Let him.

I relax my shoulders and sit without a word. He brings the other chair next to me, also sitting.

“Okay.” He drops his elbows on the table. “What do you want out of this deal?”

“Could youbeany more direct?” I roll my eyes.

“Chandler Bing fromFriends. Cute. You sure love quoting that show. Doesn’t exactly count, though.” His lip lifts in a soft smirk. “And stop evading my question.”

I scowl at him as I grab and eat a piece of garlic bread. He’s a little too good at our little game, and it’s driving me crazy.

I’m not sure what I want out of this. Does it kill me not to be exclusive? Yes. I don’t want him sleeping with other women while we do this. And honestly, I don’t want to sleep with other men either. Lorenzo isfun, and I want to be around that this summer. He’s grown on me. He makes melaugh. He doesn’t make me feel like my weaknesses are a nuisance. He doesn’t judge me. He’s simply there and knows what I need. Does it scare me, not knowing what will happen in the future? Not really. Neither of us is the relationship type. This is the perfect recipe for us to have some fun and then part ways at the end of it. Stay friends or whatever. I’m acutely aware we’ll be in each other’s lives forever, but it doesn’t have to be awkward. We’re both adults.

“I already told you. Friends with benefits until the end of August. We have some fun sex, and we end it before going to Las Vegas. We keep things strictly casual, we keep emotions out of the way.” I shrug. “Sounds easy enough for two people who don’t do the love thing, anyway.”

“Do you want to be exclusive in the meantime?” he asks, plain and simple. That’s Lorenzo for you.Extremelyhonest—and I mean that in every sense.

I shrug again, not answering, and biting another piece of bread instead. When did I become such a quiet bitch? I want to speak up, but I can’t find the right words.Yes, I want to be exclusive. Is that so hard to say?

He takes the last piece of bread I have in my hand and drops it in the container. “Who knew you could go quiet on me?” he asks with a laugh. “That’s fine. I’ll speak—I don’t want to fuck other women, and I most definitely don’t want you fucking other men,” he deadpans.

My eyes bulge, finding his and trying to find any trace of mirth. His face is enigmatic and serious. Not the Lorenzo I’ve gotten to know and like.

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