Page 73 of Strange Seduction
I turned, mid-strut, already halfway annoyed.
Vince.
He stood near the hallway, hands in his pockets, trying to look casual.
Which he wasn’t. His tie was loose, his shirt slightly wrinkled like he’d had a morning, and his eyes were somewhere between sheepish and testing.
“I’m sorry,” he said, stepping closer, voice low. “If I got you in trouble.”
I gave him a once-over. “You didn’t.”
He looked doubtful. “You sure? ‘Cause Theo looked like he wanted to put me through a window all day.”
“That’s just his face.”
Vince smirked. “Fair. Still, I shouldn’t have—look, I wasn’t trying to stir anything up. I didn’t know it’d turn into a thing.”
I raised a brow. “You didn’t know flirting with me in front of my boyfriend and your boss would turn into a thing?”
“Okay, maybe I had a lapse in judgment.” His smile flickered and faded. “Still. I wasn’t trying to overstep. I meant it when I said I was just being friendly.”
I felt a bit bad.
Doubt: What? Why?
‘Cause. He didn’t mean anything by it.
Doubt: Theo doesn’t see it that way.
Theo is just being… possessive as usual.
Doubt: Hm. Interesting.
What is?
Doubt: He was right. You are naive.
Whatever.
“Maybe next time,” I offered. “Try being friendly from a safe, platonic distance.”
His lips twitched like he wanted to smile but knew better. “He’s protective of you.”
“He is,” I said deadpan.
“I respect that. I do.” He paused. “He’s lucky. You’re… worth protecting.”
I raised a brow. “You flirting again?”
He laughed, then caught himself. “No. No, I’m not. I swear. Just… giving credit where it’s due.”
I tilted my head. “Duly noted.”
He stepped aside. “I’ll let you get to it then.”
“Bye, Vince.”
His eyes lingered. “Bye, Carmen.”
