Page 79 of Dating Goals
“She’s nobody,” I say finally, my voice rough. “And for the record, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to see you dancing with Pierce Brosnan’s evil twin back there either.”
“Who?”
“That guy you were with. The one who dragged you away. You gonna tell me who that was?”
Anika’s expression shifts, becoming guarded. “I’m not sure I’m supposed to tell you anything about that.”
“Not supposed to…What does that mean?”
Instead of answering, Anika pulls my jacket tighter around her shoulders. The odd way she’s acting stirs something ancient and primal in me.
I almost don’t recognize myself when I growl, “Did he threaten you?”
It takes her longer to think about that than I care for. “No. I mean, I don’t think so.”
“Anika, look at me. Did he hurt you? Because I swear, I will hunt him down.”
“He didn’t hurt me,” she says quickly. “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?” I take another step closer, close enough to see the faint freckles across her nose. “Anika, I’ve been going out of my mind thinking you were in danger.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “In danger? From what?”
“I don’t know! Secret passages? Mysterious men? You name it.”
Anika’s eyes flicker with something I can’t read. “Griffin, maybe you should go back to Canada.”
“Canada?” My voice rises despite my efforts to keep it level. “Anika, what’s going on?”
She looks away, studying the mountains like they hold answers. “Nothing. Everything’s fine.”
“Then come back inside. I need to tell you something important,” I say, stepping closer. “About tonight. What we’re really doing here.”
Her smile is gracious but guarded. “I’d rather not know too much about what you’re doing. Or who you’re doing it with.”
The way she says it, like she knows something, makes my skin prickle.
Words fail me as I look at Anika. Really look at her. Moonlight catches in her eyes, reflecting flints of silver. Her lips, slightly parted, are tinged blue from the cold. She’s never looked more beautiful or more real than she does right now, wrapped in my oversized jacket with her hair a wild tangle around her face.
I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone more in my entire life.
“Look, just wait inside until I finish some business I need to take care of, then I’ll explain everything. Please?”
“Business?” A flash of something darkens her eyes before she schools her expression. “You mean with that woman in the red dress? Is that the ‘business’ you need to take care of?”
Wait a minute. Is she actually jealous? The thought sends a ridiculous thrill through me despite the gravity of the situation.
The corner of my mouth twitches up. “Are you jealous?”
“I am not.” She lifts her chin, defiant.
“You are.” I step closer, my heart racing. “Admit it. You like me.”
She shrugs with exaggerated casualness. “Sure. You’re a nice guy.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You like me, like me. More than a friend, more than practice dates.”
I move forward until her back meets the stone balustrade. My hand finds its way to her jaw, cupping it softly. Her pulse jumps beneath my fingers. “Admit to me what you really think of me.”
