Page 25 of Crazy Love

15

KALI

With the violenceof a woman scorned, I slam my car door shut.

Hazel looks at me, alarmed. “Kali! You’re going to break something if you don’t chill out.”

“I’m fine.”

I amnotfine. Ever since Anthony stormed out of my studio a week ago, I’ve been uncontrollably angry and moody. We haven’t spoken since. I’ve sent him several texts and even attempted a phone call. No response. He hasn’t come around to work on the desk for Hazel and hasn’t dropped by the studio.

I’ve gone over our last interaction a hundred times, and it makes me furious. We talked about light fixtures, burritos and the empty threat I got from a bunch of teenagers. Whatever I said to piss him off isn’t clear to me. I would apologise if I knew what the hell to apologise for. And now,mymoodiness and anger are building and building because he’s forgotten how to use a phone.

I unlock the roller door and push it open, and Hazel and I head inside. Hazel flicks on the lights, frowning at the space in front of her.

“I know. There’s still a shitload to do.”

Hazel smiles. “But it’s getting there. I’m proud of you.”

Ordinarily, those sorts of words would lift my spirits, but I’m too annoyed at a certain tattooed man to concentrate. I’m also annoyed at myself for allowing a man to take up so much real estate in my head. When was the last time I cared this much?

“I’ve got to see if I can borrow a ladder to finish painting around the trims up there.” Now that the air con fixtures are in, I can get to work painting the walls and turning this into something useable, rather than a worksite. I glance down at my phone and inspect the to-do list unravelling before my eyes.

“Isn’t Anthony painting the trims?” Hazel asks.

“I don’t think Anthony will come back, somehow,” I say with a snort.

“Anthony’s just having a bad time. He’ll come back around.”

I scoff. “I don’t know how you can be so forgiving of his mood swings.”

“Practice,” she says dryly.

“Good point. I’ve got enough trouble keeping mine under control, so I don’t need his on top of that. I’ll be happy if I never see him again.”

Hazel raises her eyebrows, pursing her lips as she looks over my shoulder. “Well, this should be interesting.”

I spin to see Patrick and Anthony getting out of their cars outside. My stomach flutters with anticipation, battling against anger and confusion. Shame and embarrassment are also smugly present. I have no idea where I stand with this man.

The two men approach the front of the shop, Patrick leading the way. His face lights up when he sees Hazel and he gives me a courteous nod. My gaze flicks to his brother, whose face reveals nothing when he makes eye contact with me.

“Good morning,” Patrick says, his eyes roaming the space. “Kali, it’s looks great.”

“Thanks. It’s got a long way to go.”

“What are you guys doing here?” Hazel asks, wrapping her arms around Patrick’s waist. He closes his eyes as if he’s breathing in her scent and kisses the top of her head.

“We thought we’d stop by to see how it’s going, see if there’s anything we can do to help,” Patrick says with a smile.

“In your suit?” I ask.

“Hey, I can get my hands dirty.”

“Thanks, but we’ve got it handled.”

“Youwouldsay that,” Anthony mutters, swaggering up.

My hands are on my hips, my nails digging into my skin. “No one asked you to come here, Bonetti. If you can’t pull the stick out of your ass, feel free to leave.”

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