Page 66 of The Love Syllabus

And worse? I can’t deny any of it without looking like a total ass. So, instead, I do the only thing I can, I smile and lean in just enough to sell it, and then…

I jam my elbow right into his side. Vic tenses, his grip on my hand tightening just slightly before he lets out a choked laugh, covering like a pro.

“So, Jeff,” I say sweetly, smoothly pivoting the conversation to business, the actual reason we’re here. “What do you think about outdoor patio dining?”

Jeff’s eyes light up. “I think it’s a great idea. Outdoor seating is in high demand these days, especially with the town’s rapid growth. It’d be perfect for your new restaurant, Vic.”

I nod. “Exactly. He definitely wants to incorporate it. We think it’d be great for the community, a perfect addition to Main Street’s charm.”

Vic, for once, plays along. “But of course, I want to make sure it aligns with city regulations. If it’s too complex to add, I completely understand.”

Jeff rubs his chin. “Actually, I think the approval board put that on our priority list for the third quarter planning review. It’s on our radar, but it’s not set in motion yet.”

Kendra waves a dismissive hand. “Oh, Jeff, you need to push that up for our new friends. Or rather, our dear old friend Kerry.”

I gush at that, shooting Vic a look as if to say,See? Some of us actually know how to make and keep connections.

Vic shakes his head with a humble chuckle, “Oh no, please don’t go out of your way on my account. I wouldn’t dare want my small request to take precedence.”

Liar.

Jeff waves him off. “No problem at all. I got you covered. Any friend of Kerry’s is a friend of mine. My knucklehead sons wouldn’t have made it to high school if it weren’t for her.”

Dinner goes well, and though a slight layer of tension still lingers between me and my fake-ass boyfriend, we’re just charming enough that no one notices.

However, thereisone person who has the potential to ruin our evening.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my Kerry and the man who has no idea who he’s dating.”

Every muscle in my body locks up at the sound of that voice. The four of us look up, and there stands Cory. And beside him? A brooding, big-bellied man, already opening his mouth to say something disrespectful and downright disgusting.

“Well, Son,” he starts, smirking at Cory before leering down at me. “If I were blind, I’d wonder why you married such a useless woman, but my eyes always remind me why. Kerry, it’s good to see you… and even better to look at you.”

Then he licks his lips like I’m a piece of meat and my stomach turns. The way they look at me like I’m nothing makes my skin crawl. He wants me to feel small like I used to, but not anymore.

And Vic? Oh, he’s fuming. His entire body goes still, the kind of stillness that’s more dangerous than rage. His arm tightens around my shoulders, pulling me closer, sealing me into his space like a shield against them. His chest expands as he slowly sits up straight, broad, and imposing, with lethal energy rolling off him in waves.

When he speaks, his voice is low and controlled.

“Well, I’d stand up and introduce myself, but I see we aren’t showing respect this evening.” His sharp, deadly glare locks onto Cory’s with a quiet threat.

The entire restaurant notices. Even Jeff and Kendra go silent. Vic doesn’t blink, doesn’t move, doesn’t give Cory or the foul-mouthed man an inch of power. Instead, he leans forward, just enough for his presence to loom, just enough for the tension to snap tight like a loaded trigger.

“We’re enjoying a nice dinner with friends,” he continues, voice smooth. “And I’d appreciate it if both of you—” he finally stands up, towering over both men and forcing them to step back. “tear your eyes away from Kerry, or I’ll make sure they never open again.”

We, along with nearly everyone in the room, are still stunned by Vic’s warning. Cory and the man are appalled. But it’s time for me to step in before Vic ends up in a world of trouble.

“Um, hon—” I stand up quickly, placing a gentle hand on Vic’s chest, my touch a silent plea to keep him from fully snapping. “You’ve met my ex-husband Cory, but this is his father,Police CommissionerMartin.”

Vic barely acknowledges him. He’s unphased, unbothered, and so damn sexy.

But the Commissioner puffs out his chest anyway, trying to assert whatever power he thinks he has. “That’s right. I’m the law around here.”

Vic grumbles out a low, dark laugh, the kind that raises the hairs on my arms. “And you’re all this town’s got?” He exhales sharply, shaking his head, his voice mocking and drenched in disdain. “That’s a damn shame.”

“Listen, boy—” Martin steps up to Vic, attempting to meet him eye to eye.

But an authoritative voice sneaks up on us, smooth and commanding. “Look what we have here, our local government all in one place, along with our new celebrity couple.”

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