Page 54 of All We Need

“I—that’s…that’s not whatIwas implying,Booth.”

“Could have fooled me,”Imutter.

She sighs. “Booth,Ireally do?—”

“I can’t pretend it didn’t happen.Thatmakes it weirder.Weneed to air it out before we bury it.”

The turn in conversation shocks her. “Ithought we weren’t going to talk about it?”

I flick a beige block. “Yeah, well,Ilied.”

She sighs and picks up a small black brick and studies the instructionsI’velaid out on the table. “Wework together, that should make it obvious why it can’t happen again.Plus, you don’t even like me.”

My head snaps to the right. “Inever said that.”

“You didn’t have to.I’mnot exactly your number one fan either.”Shelaughs.

Like a goldfish, my mouth opens and closes, but what doIsay?She’snot wrong.Forty-eight hours ago, we were ready to declare war.Now, it’s clouded with contradictions.

WhatI’mabout to ask might sound desperate, butI’mgenuinely curious. “Ifyou weren’t, you know—”Igesture at her.

“Your boss,” she finishes.

“I was going to say ‘Medusa,’ but sure, that works too.”Iwink, and thenI’msurprised for what feels like the hundredth time today.

Aly laughs.It’sbubbly, bright, and coaxes out a smile that has her teeth gleaming and eyes crinkling.Shelooks quite cute.Idon’t tell her that, though, on account of me valuing my life.

“If you hadn’t bought the restaurant, and you happened into town randomly…”Ilean forward, hands linked between my spread knees asIwatch the flames of the fire dance and flicker. “Wouldthis be different?”

“What do you mean?”Hertone is cautious.

“Would you have given me a chance?”

There, it’s out there now.I’mawareIsound like a crushing high schooler, but after this morning, who can blame me?

WhenIfinally chance a look at her, her attention is on the fireplace, too, her sharp features cast in a warm glow.She’sdeep in thought, and the longer she leaves me hanging, the lessIthinkI’mgoing to like the answer.

Above the cracklingIbarely hear her. “Imeant whatIsaid;I’monly here temporarily.”

“And about me not being your type?”

I catch the corner of her mouth hitch up. “Thatmight have been a fib, butIhad good reason.Youwouldn’t take no for an answer.”

I’m toeing the line.Theneed to get to know her is too strong to ignore, and inside these four walls, we’ve shed away the titles and disdain.

“WhenIasked what your plans were, you said you didn’t know.Isthat still the case?”

She doesn’t flinch.It’sher voice that gives away her wariness; a quality she rarely wears. “Burstinginto the kitchen and announcing whoIwas might not have been my finest moment.I’dwanted to scope out the restaurant and the townfirst.”Shecasts me a side glance. “Iknow the industry inside and out.Youmight all thinkI’msome money-grabbing investor, but my family’s ethos isn’t about that.We’vebacked up plenty of family-owned hotels in the past and merged them into our chain.Whilethis isn’t our typical investment,Iwouldn’t risk putting money down on somethingIdidn’t believe in.”

The truth shines bright in her words, but also leaves me with more questions.

“If we’re not a typical business for you to back, why did you?”

This question gets a reaction.Herlips flatten and hands fiddle with the hem of her sweater.Afew errant curls escape, and beforeIknow whatI’mdoing,Ibrush them away, the pads of my fingers lingering on the shell of her ear.

“Alessandra, why are you here?”Iwhisper.It’snot accusatory, like the last time.

“Don’t ask me that,Booth.Goback to wanting me gone.”

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