Page 8 of Vendetta Vows

"You're overthinking this." Hannah pats my arm. "He's clearly into you. Which means you?—"

"You don't understand." I cut her off, the words tumbling out faster than I can filter them. "I told my boss's boss's boss's boss that the script he's invested millions in is ridiculous. I criticized the romance, the dialogue, the character motivations, the costuming. Everything!"

The bartender slides our drinks across the bar. I grab mine and take a desperate gulp.

"And did you see how he looked at me during that speech?" I focus on my drink as I talk faster and faster. "Hequotedme. He literally quoted what I said outside, Hannah. Word for word. In front of everyone."

"Aurora…"

My stomach twists itself into knots. "God, I'm going to get fired. I'll never find work in this town again. All because I couldn't keep my big mouth shut about a stupid script that isn't even my business."

"Aurora…"

"And the worst part?" I lower my voice to a hissing whisper. "For a minute there, I actually thought he was interested in me. How pathetic is that? As if someone like him would?—"

"Iwasinterested."

The deep voice behind me stops my heart.

No!

I close my eyes briefly, willing the floor to open up and swallow me.Please don't let this be real. Please. Please. Please.

Slowly, I open my eyes, see the wide-eyed expression on Hannah's face, and know that there's no way out. She takes hold of my shoulders. Spins me around.

And there he is.

Oh God, this is real.

Ruslan is standing so close that I can smell his faint scent of mahogany and cedarwood. His eyes, light gold and intense, are fixed directly on mine, and there's a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.

"In fact," he continues, "I still am."

Hannah rises to her feet, practically glowing with delight.

"Would you look at the time?" She presses a hand to her forehead with dramatic flair. "I absolutelymustgo... check on that thing. You know the one."

Before I can grab her arm, she whispers, "He's even hotter up close. Andyoubetter close tonight."

Then she vanishes into the crowd.

Traitor.

My cheeks burn as I turn back to Ruslan. Words stack up in my throat like a traffic jam, jumbled and impossible to untangle.

"I'm so sorry about what I said earlier." The apology finally tumbles out. "I had no idea who you were, and I just. I mean, I shouldn't have?—"

"And as I've said earlier, there's nothing to apologize for." His eyes hold mine, steady and unwavering. "I meant every word I said up there, Aurora."

The way my name sounds his lips stops me cold and sends another rush of excitement along my spine.

"But..." I twist my hands together, still expecting the axe to fall. "I practically tore apart your entire production."

"So what? You were being honest." Something shifts in his expression. Interest? Approval? "Something refreshingly rare in this town."

I exhale, not realizing I've been holding my breath. "So I'm not in trouble?"

The corner of his mouth curves upward.

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