Page 64 of Gin & Trouble

Me:Yep.

Dante:Sorry to hear that.

Me:I hate this for her.

Dante:It kills me to think of you in my bed while I’m not there.

Fingers hovering over the keyboard, I read and reread his last message. It was definitely flirty, but he’d been fairly stand-offish since I’d told him my real name.

What changed? Should I flirt back? What do I have to lose? Only everything.

Me:The sheets smell like you.

Dante:There are clean ones in the closet. Unless you like the way I smell?

I hesitated to tell him the truth. He’d given me more than a place to stay. He’d made sure Iris and I were safe, fed, and had everything we needed—including a never-ending supply of chocolate, wine, and gelato.

Correction. Dante had given me everything I needed except him.

Me:You don’t exactly stink.

Dante:I did today. Sweat, fish, and beer. LOL

Me:Fishing trip with your brothers?

Dante:Yep. Had a blast. I’ll tell you all about it later.

Me:Can’t wait. How was Leo after my text?

I’d dug up a fair amount of dirt on Harrison Meriwether. The popular politician was an absolute sleaze ball. I hadn’t found proof he was Leo’s girlfriend’s stalker, but it was only a matter of time. Meriwether had a long history of abusing women, including his ex-wife.

Dante:Upset, but glad he asked you to look into it. Good work.

Me:Thank you.

Dante:About these sheets that don’t exactly stink. Do they make you think about me?

Me:It’s not just the sheets. I’m surrounded by your things 24/7. I’ve been sleeping in your T-shirts.

Dante:Lucky shirts. I’d give anything to be wrapped around you. I can’t get you off my mind.

My dumb heart swooned like the heroine in some old romance novel, but warning bells went off in my brain. This was too easy, too fun, too dangerous until we had a serious conversation.

Me:I’m glad you texted, but I’m confused. Where is all of this coming from?

My phone rang and startled me out of my Dante-induced stupor. That is, until I saw his name on the screen.

“Hi.” My voice came out girly and breathy.

“Hi.” He cleared his throat. “So uh…this is easier via text, but too important to screw up.”

My chest tightened and a tiny ember of hope burned deep in the remains of my heart. “You sound nervous.”

“I am.” Dante made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sigh.

“Tell me what you’re thankful for.”

He hesitated for the longest five seconds of my life. “I’m thankful you and Iris are safe, but I’d like to banish how much I miss you.”

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