Page 66 of Twisted Hearts

“You didn’t sleep well?” he asked, still scrolling through his phone like the question was asked to break the silence, not for actual conversation.

“Nope.”

I could practically feel the glare coming from his side-eyed look at my tone.

“Is it the Daniel stuff? Because we’re working on it, Addi. I promise.”

“It’s not that.”

I thought about it every day, but I had other things on my mind.

Like how the guy I wanted was sleeping on my couch when there was plenty of room next to me in the bed.

We reached the bar, and Shawn pounded on the metal door. An eternity passed before it opened, and Malcolm looked rushed and worried in a way I hadn’t ever seen him. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me.

“Good. You’re here. We’ve been waiting. I almost texted you to see where the hell you were.”

“Sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. Come on in.” His tone told me it wasn’t, but he waved me in and let go.

I stepped into the hall and was surprised when Shawn stayed in the alley. Despite my better judgment, I asked, “Are you coming?”

“No. I’m actually going to run into the office really quick.” He glanced at Malcolm. “You’ll keep her close?”

“Not out of my sight for a second, like I already promised.”

They had this conversation every shift. Further irritating me was being talked about like I wasn’t standing right there, along with the idea that Malcolm needed the constant reminder. “I just need to stash my purse,” I mumbled. “Are we out front?”

“Don’t go out there without Malcolm,” Shawn said, and it sounded way too much like an order than I was prepared to hear.

I glared at him, shaking my head with a frustrated look. He was the one who’d demanded I have a babysitter at all times. I hadn’t minded in the moment. I just didn’t need to be constantly reminded like I was five.

I turned and left them in the hallway without a word. If he wanted to treat me like I was just another job, I’d act exactly like that was all I was.

I would just have to find another way to deal with the hormones he sent into hyperdrive when I was around him.

The sun was bright,the blue skies cloudless. For late February, it was shockingly warm, and I was able to be outside in only my Dreammaker’s standard issue short-sleeve shirt and jeans without feeling a hint of chill. All of the employees crowded behind Malcolm, and while I tried to stay on the outer edge, I found myself almost directly center, behind Malcolm and the members of the Chambers of Commerce who’d come out to celebrate the opening.

From what I’d learned, this area of Raleigh had once been filled with rundown warehouses and businesses. Over the last decade, it’d been renovated and reinvented into an artistic area filled with shops like Shannon’s and locally owned restaurants like Dreammaker’s that worked to serve only locally grown food and beverages. Despite the fact that we’d already had the soft opening and spent the last week working out all the kinks and smoothing out the edges of the menu and drinks, there was an air of excitement around me, all the employees thrilled to be involved in this event that was larger than I’d anticipated.

“Okay, okay!” The local news photographers were there, corralling us like sheep in a pen who refused to listen. “So, ribbon cutters…”

I tuned out her voice a bit as she continued commandeering the situation. Evan, the bartender I worked with the most, was next to me and threw his arm around me.

“It’s like we’re famous,” he said playfully. “All these photographers, news outlets—who would have thought there’d be so much attention for a small business.”

Not what I wanted at all. A heavy weight grew in my stomach as I took in the cameras. I shouldn’t have been there, but what was the harm, really? What would one silly picture in a local paper do? Still, I wrung my hands and debated getting Malcolm. He’d understand. Knowing him, I was surprised he had insisted on me being here for this. He was almost as protective of me as Shawn.

“Malcolm said he invested a lot in marketing and advertising…I just didn’t realize it was going to be this large of a deal, either.”

I did another scan of the crowd of photographers and news outlets, most of them local, but some weren’t, and that weight in my stomach grew larger. Heavier.

This wasn’t what I needed right now.

“Excuse me,” I muttered, moving out from beneath Evan’s arm.

Malcolm caught my movement and reached out. “Where are you going?”

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