Page 74 of Fighting Words

I nod, never taking my eyes off Nate, but he won’t look at me. His gaze is focused on Andrew, and he still hasn’t said a word! I’m getting more annoyed with him by the second. It’s clear he’s been alone in this cottage for too damn long because you can’t just be this way, silent and surly. I hate him a little for the way he’s acting. What has Andrew done to him? Absolutely nothing. He should be aiming those daggersmyway.

“Where did you go?” I ask him, my tone a little rough.

It gets his attention and he finally looks at me, but his expression doesn’t ease. If anything, it hardens.

“I popped down to Alice’s shop.” He drops Andrew’s hand and brushes past us to scoop our bottle of wine off the table. “What are you two drinking?” He reads the label then his eyebrows lift with intent. “Romantic.”

He drops it back down with a heavythunkand looks to me, his eyes hard and unyielding.

Oh yes, he’s furious.

I knew, of course, when I picked that wine that it’s Nate’s favorite. I figured Andrew would like it too. I didn’t realize Nate would feel so proprietary about it. I’ll buy him a new bottle.Two, even!

“There’s some left, enough for a glass if you’d like to join us,” I say through clenched teeth.

What I really want to do is lean in and pinch his ear and use it to yank him into the next room like a bent-out-of-shape grandma before hissing,What’s the matter with you!?

“I haven’t had supper yet,” he says by way of rejection before heading over to inspect the contents of the refrigerator.

Andrew clears his throat, looking to me for feedback before he speaks up again. “Well, I really appreciate you taking me in on such short notice. I didn’t mean to impose…”

Nate doesn’t say anything, just starts tugging things out and dropping them onto the counter: Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, basil.

I shake my head at Andrew, a subtle way to let him know to just stop trying. Clearly, Nate isn’t in a friendly mood at the moment, and considering we’re both depending on him for lodging, maybe it’s best we don’t test it. Or at least not Andrew. It seems I, however, can do whatever I want, because before I know it, I’m stomping over to Nate and grabbing his arm, leading him toward the stairs while ignoring his protests.

“I’m about to make food—”

“Yes, we’ll get to that in a second. There’s something upstairs I need you to take care of first.”

Either I’m the strongest human ever or Nate doesn’t put up much of a protest as I fist his shirtsleeve and drag him after me. Once we’re upstairs, I worry our conversation will carry if we stay out in the hall, so I push him into my room and shut the door behind me.

I whirl around and look at him, standing there looking confidently at ease. He’s not the least bit remorseful about his actions over the last few minutes.

“What’s gotten into you? Why are you being like this?”

Nate fixes his shirt and looks at me drolly. “This is how I greet everybody. Don’t you remember the night we met?”

I lower my eyebrows menacingly. “Very funny. Just knock it off, will you? Andrew doesn’t deserve this.”

Nate’s jaw hardens infinitesimally. “I haven’t done anything to him.”

“Well you’ve completely ignored him. It’s rude to act like he’s not even here, talking to you. Be polite.”

He tips his chin up in defiance. “I’ll be however the hell I want to be considering this is my cottage and you’remyguest.”

“We’reyour guests. Meand Andrew.”

He sniffs and looks away, wiping his hand down his jaw. Something dawns and he looks around, curious now. “You rearranged the room.”

“Well yes, it wasn’t in good shape before. I put a few things in the closet and cleared off the desk. I stole that pretty vase from downstairs, and don’t eventhinkabout taking it back.”

He smirks at my tone. I secretly think he enjoys when I’m like this—combative and hotheaded. That amusement in his eyes tugs the invisible tether between us. It’s always there, always pulling me toward him. Even now.

“When we go back downstairs, are you going to be nice?”

Nate’s eyebrows arch and he drags his hand through his hair. “Nice? You think I have it in me?”

“You’ve been nice to me before. On occasion.”

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