Page 90 of Hot Momosa

“No, it’s just stress.” My mind spun like a carnival ride. We had so much to discuss that I didn’t know where to begin. “I confronted Harrison after I received the photos this morning.”

“Let me guess—he denied any involvement.”

Nodding, I said, “I almost believed him, but his story didn’t hold up.”

“I’m going to make arrangements for you and Gunnar to leave town.” He rested his arms on the back of the sofa and widened his thighs.

Between the manspreading and cocky set of his jaw, I wanted to scream. Did he honestly think he had the right to make that sort of proclamation? Not to mention, he’d argued with my idea of going to Florida.

“I don’t know what part of me you forgot over the last year, but I’ve never been one to jump when you snap your fingers.”

“It wasn’t an order, Dahl. It’s for your safety. If Harrison is the stalker, now that you’ve confronted him, this could go two ways—he’ll either slink off or become more dangerous.”

“Don’t Dahl me. I’m not going anywhere without you.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I remembered Leo with the gun in his hand and Gabe’s story.

Are Gunner and I really safer with him?

“What’s going on? I know this is a lot, but you seem…off.”

“I’ve had a really shitty day. Between Artie scaring the crap out of me, the articles, and the photos, I’ve had it.” I caught myself yelling, and lowered my voice for fear of waking Gunnar. “I’ll let you know if I decide it’s best to leave New Orleans.”

He stood and offered his hand. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” Stupid question. We were stuck in the condo for the time being. The only place he could possibly think to take me was to bed. And that wasn’t going to happen.

“You’re stressed. How about a back rub?”

“Nice try, but I’m not in the mood for sex.”

And that’s exactly what would happen five minutes into said massage.

Leo held up his hands. “Then take a shower, read, whatever you need to do to unwind, so we can talk like rational adults.”

He’s calling me irrational?

I huffed and strode down the hall, fully aware I was acting like a lunatic. He was right about one thing. I did need some time to myself to process everything that had happened.

Leo followed me into the master bedroom. “Look. I’m going to give you space, but I need to apologize first.”

Hoping against hope he’d apologize for acting like some sort of vigilante out for justice, I turned to him.

“I had no idea the reporters would turn the tables on me about the stalker. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you, but that’s not it.” My chest tightened. He had no way of knowing what was really bothering me, and I doubted I could verbalize it without hurting him.

“Talk to me.” He ran his hands from my shoulders to my elbows.

Over the years, we’d shared our deepest darkest secrets. I’d never hesitated to tell him what was on my mind. Until recently.

As good as it felt to be with him again, we still had a wall between us to tear down.

He sighed and stepped back. “When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here.”

“I don’t want you to ask Marco for help.” I could tell by the way he flexed his hands that he didn’t like what I’d said. “I understand you want to make the stalker pay, but that side of you scares me.”

He arched a brow. “What side?”

“Isn’t it enough I admitted you frightened me? Do I have to explain it?”

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