I

t actual psychologic

ng locked in

r, listening to soft jazz, while the name of your boyfri

sing streetlights, my hands burie

o

o

o

It is loud enough that I'm genuinely terrified Ben

tting right on the tip of my ton

who i

and the words choke be

ome terrifying stranger in a coffee shop g

up my two-year relationship o

n down and keep my ey

a warm, soothing rumble in the quiet cabin. "You're supposed to be fi

nage, my voice sounding h

slightly. "I know you guys have been best friends forever, Liv, but I

slightly furrowed, just the right

fan of peop

onal. He likes things quie

ove him

t friend's wild lifestyle acts like

lace bralette is definitely not freque

ezing hand out of my coat pocket, laces his long finge

bling until his grip steadies them. The fa

slow circle over the back of my hand. "I know you hate dealing with t

e thick lump

ised knuckles dropping your secret w

e kids," I l

e way, Julian texted me this morning.

e told m

think he was never planning to show his face around

ho quietly. "

arking garage of my apartment building, my

vator up in com

Thai food on the entryway console table. He shrugs off his navy coat,

t the closed door,

nd clear. He looks every inch the stead

to be a

or at his publishing h

if Roxy is a

of hope flare

explain e

ent ring, of course his jaw locked when s

I wouldn't get suspiciou

coinc

errifying c

as t

und and catch

s his face. He takes a step toward

that, Liv, you're going to make

es. "I'm just l

ping right into my perso

ing me slightly until my back pres

mes down on mine,

igh as his palms slide up my sides, h

It feels like

gh to look down at me, h

ng it with ease. He dips his head to kiss my jaw, his brea

h catche

ime, it isn

olent flash of the man in the

ckle, the way he slowly dragged his thumb across

e body g

flat against Ben'

usly. His hands drop

e just takes half a step back, reaches up, and gently re-button

m sorry. You just look so beautiful tonight. But I promised I'd w

ve of guilt w

wrong

spectful, patient

ut a ring on my finger, and I'm letting a cree

I whisper, my

suring squeeze. "Come on. Let's get this

o the kitch

tes, but before I can set them on the granite islan

tting right next

down at t

oesn't try to h

ritated groan and drag

hi

I ask, setting t

gives an un

of our top-earning

at night? Did s

pinching the bridge of his nose. "If I don't go talk him off a ledg

agic

p

the microwave clock. 9:

baby. I'm

r and shrugging back into his navy coat. He w

is hotel, smooth things over, and com

tly, forcing a sm

way

or clicks sh

er the apartment

, staring at the brown paper takeout bag s

come to Velvet Tears at

me for Ben to drive acr

top i

of my pocket and slowly smooth it fl

Knock

ps echo agains

a plate off the island, my heart

forget h

tryway and press my ey

sn't

n a black uniform holding a long

se stu

e door open a few inches, keeping

I hel

the cour

od run

ot my readers, not even the building supe

manage

nt bag and the box. "D

p. The second my numb fingers take the hanger, he turns

dbolt, my hands shaking so hard I near

he black garment bag into the living

pull the z

ut from dark, liqui

taking. And

at borders on illegal. It's clearly couture, worth more tha

own a single piece

king at the waist, I k

ove the silk aside and

a matte-gold keycard. Engraved in th

et T

h the keycard is a thick

same sharp, slash-like black handwriting from

'd be right ba

coming ba

he dr

waiting d

apartment roaring in my ears. Slowly, I l

22

dictable boyf

coffee shop knows his s