Page 76 of Bossy Hero

As for me, I’m unflappable. “No thanks.”

“Do I need to call Leo over here to remove you?” she bluffs.

I let my head flop to the side and hit her with a dead-eye stare. “Go ahead. I’d be happy to tell him why I’m here. Then you can explain why you’re being a stubborn ass tobothof us instead of just explaining it to me.”

Her jaw unhinges, and she sucks in a huge swell of air. “An ass?”

“Or a martyr, perhaps.” I roll out my lips and flutter out a raspberry. “Not sure which it is yet since you’re still lying to me.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Tell me why you’re denying us.”

She puts her hands on her hips, tapping her toe almost comically. “Did you ever think maybe I just don’t want you?”

Nice try, Maddie. Except it’s entirely unconvincing.

“Nope. Not once.”

Her head kicks back, and her mouth parts with an offended gasp. “Excuse me? Think that highly of yourself, do you?”

“No, Maddie. I’ve never doubted how you feel about me. Just like I’ve never fucking doubted how I feel about you. And if you don’t believe me, that’s fine. But the bottom line remains the same.”

“And what’s the bottom line?”

“That I’m not leaving without an honest explanation.” I stand, wiping my hands down my front toward my stomach. “I think I’ll get a snack. Got anything good in the fridge? Some of us didn’t eat dinner tonight.”

“Alan,” she roars at my departing backside, chasing after me.

“No need to fix anything for me, Maddie. I’m quite comfortable in the kitchen.”

I stride out of the room and head to the fridge. As I open it, she stops me with her flattened palm on the door.

At an intentionally slow speed, I arc my face to the right to eye her down. “Something in here you don’t want me to see, Maddie? Another date, perhaps?”

Her hand gradually slides down the stainless-steel door. “Don’t be an ass. You’re better than that.”

“Don’t be a coward.You’rebetter than that.”

“Why are you being so cruel to me?” she asks, voice cracking. “This isn’t like you.”

Nope. That’s not gonna work. I’m done coddling her. My gut says it’snotwhat she needs from me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I being rude?” I flash a fake smile and bat my lashes. “I apologize if I’m an asshole for asking for honesty after you went out with another man right in fucking front of me tonight after I’ve been fucking my fist for thirteen years while waiting for you to be ready to date.”

Despite my crisp words, my tone remains calm. If my read on her is right—and it is—she’s about to snap.

“I know I upset you by going on that stupid date, and I’m sorry for that. I really am. I wanted to go with you, but I can’t do that.” She starts rambling, her pace picking up at an alarming rate. “I never expected Leo to send you. I wouldn’t have gone if I’d have known you’d show up and rescue me. Hell, I didn’t even want to go in the first place.”

Face squarely in the fridge, I move the containers of milk and juice around. Back and forth for absolutely no other reason than to show her I’m not bothered by this.

Even if I am. Deeply.

“If you didn’t want to go on the date, why did you go? No one held a gun to your head, did they?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why?” I grab a bottle of wine and inspect the label. “Got any popcorn? Something about wine and popcorn that I just love.”

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