Page 64 of L.O.V.E

“Your milk is expired.” He popped the last bite into his mouth.

“Okay. Thanks.”

The screen went black. Dad rinsed his plate, then came my way with another full glass of water. “I know you’ll do the right thing, Nugget. You’ve got your mom’s brains, her grace, too. I don’t doubt for a second you love this man, otherwise, you wouldn’t say it. So I know you’re suffering, and you can talk to me about anything, anytime. You know that, right?”

I nodded. He set the glass on the coffee table.

“I’m gonna get out of your hair, but you need to make a promise.”

“What?”

“No more going to bars alone, even Harry’s.”

“I promise.”

He snagged his jacket. Kissed my forehead. “Love you, Nugget.”

“Love you, Dad.”

“I’ll check on you in the morning.”

“’Kay, Daddy.”

The lights went out. So did I.

Natalie

The text on my screen read:Openyourdoor.

Same message as the last three.

I stood my ground at the counter, filling my goblet. Wine first. Uncomfortable altercation second.

Four desperate knocks hit the front door.

Two deep breaths, one slow sip, and I made my way toward the unwelcome visitor. Hand to the knob, I closed my eyes and prayed for strength and wisdom.

Sinful beauty greeted me. A test. A trap. My forbidden fruit disguised in jeans and a baseball cap.

“For the love of God, what are you doing here?”

Cole white-knuckled my door jamb. “We need to talk.”

“We really don’t.” Because talking reminded me of everything I wanted and couldn’t have.

The muscles in his arms bunched. Gnawing on his bottom lip, he stared through me as if weighing his options.

Options were not on the table.

“Who in the hell buzzed you in?” I hoped the heat from my cheeks would fuel the glare I fired his direction.

“Some sweet old lady with a feisty corgi.”

Mrs. Mariani. “Traitor,” I mumbled, though I couldn’t be angry at the woman. No doubt he’d wielded his magic smile, charmed her into compliance.

Uninvited, he stepped over the threshold. I backed away, his beauty too cruel, his presence an affliction.

For one whole month, I had managed to avoid Cole Adams and his cheek porn. I’d beaten my addiction to those damn dimples.

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