Page 49 of My Grumpy Billionaire Protector

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“Areyou going to glare at your food the whole time?”

Evie sets down her fork and turns the full force of her gaze on me, sending a twinge of unease straight to my stomach. “I want to know what the hell this is.”

I raise an eyebrow. “This is dinner.”

The two of us are sitting across from each other with Evie’s back facing a night sky full of stars and a crescent moon. On the table between us, there are a few dishes — chicken in a creamy coconut milk sauce, sautéed vegetables with butter drizzling down the side, and seasoned rice. Dressed in a knee-length skirt with stockings underneath and a blue sweater, Evie took my breath away when she walked in. The scowl on her face has made it easier to ignore the pounding of my heart.

Or the fact that I am as reluctant as she is.

Turning down Isaiah when I’m being held hostage in his house, is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

It’s obvious he’s gotten wind of our friendship.

But he is right about one thing.

I need Evie to get out of here, and she needs me too.

She just won’t admit it to herself.

“Don’t be a smart ass,” Evie snaps, leaning back into her chair. She crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes at me. “You know what I mean.”

I take a bite of my food and eye her. “I really don’t.”

“You’re doing this because I did what I was told, right? Because I behaved like a good little girl, and I tried to convince my grandpa to help you.”

I frown and lower the fork. “That’s not why I’m doing this.”

“So, why? Why the fancy dinner out on the veranda and why go through all of this trouble?”

I blow out a breath and sit up straighter. “Maybe I was just trying to do something nice for you.”

“Why? We’re not friends.”

I stiffen. “I didn’t say we were, but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a nice meal together.”

Evie’s eyes narrow further. “No, you’re up to something, and I don’t like it. Whatever tentative truce we had earlier is clearly not enough for you, and I want to know why.”

“Who said it wasn’t enough?” I reach for my glass of water and down it all in one gulp. “Do you have to be so suspicious all of the damn time? Jesus. It’s just dinner.”

“This is not just dinner.” Evie stands, and her chair scrapes back before it falls with a bang that slices through the chilly night air. “This is something else, and you know it. I thought we were past the point of bullshitting each other.”

I jump to my feet and lean over the table. “I know you don’t believe me, but I don’t want to be here either. I don’t want to do this.”

Evie pins me with a withering look. “ Everything justhappensto you, doesn’t it? Nothing is ever your fault.”

“This isn’t.”

“Bullshit.”

“You know what? You’re right. Maybe we should go back to ignoring each other or screaming at each other.”

“Maybe we should.”

“Why are you so difficult?”

“Why are you such an asshole?”

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