Page 7 of Bending The Rules

Wasn’t supposed to be able to, because he was myfriend.

So what the hell had chang—oh.

Right.

Our friendship status.

Which was his fault.

Which made what was happeningnowhis damned fault too. Never in my life had I experienced that kind of dream about Justin – certainly not when we were on good terms.But as soon as he comes into my space again, after all these years, my mind decides it’s a good time to play tricks on me?

I narrowed my eyes.

Ireallycouldn’t stand his ass.

I unlocked the door and flung it open, catching him by surprise as he raised his hand to knock again.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, not bothering to adjust my tone.

One thick eyebrow lifted. “Making sure your mean ass is okay,” he answered, looking me up and down. I crossed my arms over my chest when his gaze lingered there.

“I’m perfectly fine.”

He looked away from me when I said that, focusing on something over my shoulder. “I thought we were meeting at one o’clock.”

“Right. One o’clock at… Grill Me In.”

His gaze came back to my face when I said the name of the restaurant. A grin played at the corners of lips that had never quite struck me as kissable… until now. I had to look away. I knew why his ass was smiling.

Seven years ago, I would have been thrilled by the restaurant, which he’d chosen. Not only was it vegetarian, but the name also brought 90s R&B to mind – an obsession we both shared. The lyrics to Craig David’sFill Me Inhad been playing in my head since my eyes landed on the restaurant name in our email exchange.

But this wasn’t seven years ago. I wasn’t impressed by his thoughtfulness in choosing a place that would fit my dietary preferences, and I had no plans to bond over R&B nostalgia. I wanted to get this signing over with, so he could leave me alone.

“So why are youhere?” I asked. “I hope you didn’t plan on walking me to the restaurant.”

He gave me a confused look. “What…? Toni… you realize it’s after two o’clock, right?”

My eyes went wide. “Excuse me?”

I turned around, searching out the big clock that hung on one of the suite’s walls. Right before my eyes, the minute hand moved one line past the five.

The hour hand was firmly seated at two.

“Shit,” I muttered, then turned to see that Justin was wearing a smug grin. I swallowed the bitterness of what I had to say next, and suppressed the need to roll my eyes. “I’m sorry. I intended to just close my eyes for a few minutes, and…I’m sorry. How did you even know where to find me?”

“I called the bookstore looking for you, and your mother answered. She told me where you were staying and all of that.”

I nodded. Of course she had. “Can we reschedule? Are you busy tomorrow?”

He shrugged as he met my gaze. “I still need to eat somethingtoday.”

Why the hell did those words send a shiver up my spine, and remind me of the wetness between my legs from that dream? I cleared my throat, and took my gaze away from his.

“Right. If you want to come in to wait, you can.”

“Sure your fiancé won’t mind?”

I bit the inside of my jaw, holding back the retort I wanted to give. “Are you waiting in here, or waiting in the lobby?”

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