Page 21 of Go Deep

“Actually,” Vince says. “That would be preferable. I can managethatscenario.”

“Color me intrigued.”

“I’ve been dealing with some personal stuff.”

I hold up my hands. “Say no more. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“No, it’s fine. With my dad’s Senate run in play, it’s kind of hard to keep him in relaxation mode. His model doesn’t come pre-programmed with that setting. It’s been a challenge.”

I nod. “Workaholic.”

“You could say that.” He looks away, so I don’t press. But a tiny part of me is excited at the prospect of getting a glimpse into Vince’s private life.

Not that it means I’m going to convert him or anything.

Vince picks up his drink and swirls it around. “My sister is having a hard time keeping him away from work. And I…” He stops to take a gulp of the scotch. “I’m just trying to stay out of his way.”

“And she’s not happy about that?”

He looks up. “She thinks I need to get more involved with things. To be around more. To, um, talk to him more about…things.”

“Makes sense. It’s probably hard for her to manage by herself.” I feel the scotch starting to chip away at my senses. “She probably thinks talking to him will distract him from work.”

Look at me, doling out advice about someone else’s issues when I can’t even dissect my own.

“Oh, it would be a distraction, that’s for sure.”

“You should do it then. Be there for him. Bring him some of your sparkling conversation. I bet it’ll really pep him up.”

“I think that’s a pretty big understatement.” Vince smiles and nods at my glass. “You’re empty again.”

My shoulders relax and I lean back in my chair. “You were right. I did need something stronger than water.”

“Me too.”

He holds my gaze for a few seconds. Maybe minutes, maybe hours. I’m not sure. Time may have stopped completely, for all I care. I could be perfectly happy sitting here forever next to Vince, melting in the heat of his hooded gaze like an ice cube in the hot sun.

There’s a lot behind those eyes…a lot I want to see.

But I don’t know if he’s going to give me the chance. I also don’t know why I’m torturing myself by sitting here with him. Lusting after a guy who doesn’t know and worse, doesn’t care, is just fucking stupid, no matter how much I love the chase.

Still, I can’t seem to walk away.

And what’s worse is he doesn’t seem to want me to, either.

“We still haven’t eaten. Are you hungry?”

I nod, my throat so tight, I’m a little shocked that I can squeeze out a response. “Starving.”

And it’s the truest word I’ve spoken in a very long time.

Chapter 10

Vince

Four slices of whole wheat bread pop out of the toaster. I grab two with my fingertips and let out a loud yelp. “Hot.”

My father folds his arms and smirks at me. “It’s not like they came out of the fridge, Vincent.”

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