Page 32 of The Cask

I tried to read his expression. “This was really nice,” I stated, watching him carefully.

“I’m sorry.” He put his phone to his ear. “Give me one minute, please.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Olivia, what’s wrong?” His jaw tensed as he listened. “I’m—give me a few minutes. Call the police. I’ll be right there.”

Um, what’s going on? And who is Olivia?

“Is everything okay?” I wondered.

“We have to get the tiramisu to go,” Omari announced gruffly, rising to his feet. “I’m sorry about this.”

“It’s fine. But is everything okay?”

He helped me into my jacket. “No, it’s not.”

Chapter Seven

There had been a distinct change in him since he’d received that phone call. His eyes were dark, his energy was intense, and his mind was clearly elsewhere. It had only been a few minutes, but he hadn’t said another word to me after his apology.

“If you want me to take a car service home, I can,” I offered as we watched the valet bring Omari’s SUV to a stop.

With his jaw still clenched, he grabbed my hand. “No,” he said gruffly as he started walking toward his vehicle.

My eyebrows flew up.Wha—?

I didn’t like the authoritative tone he took with me.

But I didn’t dislike it.

Even if it is sexy, who does he think he is talking to me like this? Grabbing me like this?I wondered indignantly as I put up no resistance.Just over here trying to manhandle me!

His stride was longer than mine, so it almost felt like he was pulling me toward his car. He opened the door and helped me in. I watched him walk around to the other side in a conflicted silence.

He was brooding. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or sad. I didn’t know what myriad of emotions were making his eyes so stormy. But when he looked over at me, it wasn’t the same. The light had dimmed. While I should’ve been thrilled that something was going wrong in his life, I wasn’t. But that didn’t mean I was getting soft.

It’s not really revenge unless I have a hand in it,I reasoned with myself.

And I didn’t have a hand in whatever caused him to pull off from the restaurant at warp speed.

His phone rang and he answered quickly. “Are the police there?”

I turned my head to face him. There was no reason to pretend that I wasn’t listening.

“I’m on my way,” he barked. He glanced over at me and then focused on the road. “I told you I would be there. No matter what.” He was quiet for a moment. “Don’t let that happen. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Who the fuck is Olivia?I questioned him in my head as he stepped on the gas.You’re ending our date abruptly to go rescue Olivia and you’re not even offering me an explanation? Seriously? And this is why you’re my nemesis.

And he was.

Yes, we had things in common and we had a good time at dinner and for a little while I forgot that it wasn’t a real date. But at the end of the day, Omari Fortune showed me his true colors from the beginning. I wasn’t going to be swayed by his good looks and charm. I wasn’t going to be swayed by his conversation and sense of humor. I knew who he was and what he was about. For that, he needed to go down. And I needed to be the one to do it.

I glanced over at him as he continued going ten miles over the speed limit.

Oh, and you’re just going to drive like you’re auditioning for NASCAR? Putting my life in jeopardy to go rescue Olivia?With a scoff, I shook my head.And who the hell is Olivia?

“Give me fifteen minutes,” he repeated before ending the call. He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Ebony.”

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