Page 49 of Dex

I almost tell her about Rio, about how he’s perched at the bar with a smug grin, watching all of this unfold.But I don’t.

Instead, I clear my throat.“Look … this is an awkward situation for both of us.”I pause, tapping my fingers against the table.“I need to tell you something.After our meeting with my father this morning, he called a meeting with my brothers.”

“And?”She shrugs like it’s nothing.

“He told them we were getting married soon, within a few weeks.”

Her lips press together.“Best to get it over and done with.”

I exhale.“Right?”

“He sent me an agenda.”

That makes me laugh.“Of course, he did.”

She sighs.“My parents need to make arrangements.Your father is taking control.It all feels so … impersonal.Not like how a wedding should be.”

“That’s because it’s not a wedding,” I say, my voice low.“We don’t love each other.Jeez, we don’t even like each other.”

Her gaze sharpens.“You don’t like me?”

I wince, choosing my words carefully.“You picked me, Daniela, and I’m not sure why.I wasn’t exactly my charming, best self.”

“You have a charming, best self?”

I laugh.I actually laugh, not just at the way she says it, but because of her deadpan expression.Her delivery is perfect.“So tell me,” I say, crossing my arms.“If this were a real date, what would have happened by now?”

She stares down at her drink.“I don’t really go on many dates.”

What the fuck?“What do you mean?Because you’re too pretty for most guys?”

She looks up, and the hurt in her eyes makes me feel like a douchebag.“No.Because men only want one thing.”

I blink.“You really believe that?”

“In my experience?I know that.”

Something sharp twists in my gut.I don’t like the sound of that.

She shrugs, her expression nonchalant.“Men expect something after dinner.I’ve never really met someone who sees me for who I am.”Her voice is casual, but there’s something in her tone that makes me pause.

I study her, really look at her.The way the light hits her face.The way her eyes shine with something I can’t quite place.Then it hits me like a slap to my face.

This woman has a fear of being seen.

The way she looks, she turns heads.She gets noticed.I know, because I saw the reaction to her that night at the soiree.Just like I’ve seen the reaction to her as we walked in here.She meets my gaze.“I don’t know you, Dexter.”

“But we’re getting to know one another,” I say softly, starting to see the real Daniela.

“You know that I’m more than just my hair, or my smile, or my eyes, or my body, don’t you?”

I shift in my chair.“You’re so much more than that.”The air between us lightens even more.“Tell me more about the jiu-jitsu.”

Her brows push together, like she’s trying to figure me out.Then she launches into a story about how she started training.

“What made you start running marathons?”I ask.

“A friend of mine got me into it,” she says.“Raquel.She started running in college, and I joined her.”

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