My excuse was that I was expected to be there. What was Vik’s excuse when he was not? The only flickering thought in my mind was that he wanted me to see him.
The minute I walked into the decently-sized restaurant, Anika came flying at me. With an excited squeal, she hugged me tight, and her musical laughter washed over me. “Can you believe we won?”
I’m sure she didn’t expect any more than what I gave her. I waved an invisible flag and muttered sarcastically, “Go team.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Where’s your team spirit, Nastasia?”
I glanced down at her cheerleading uniform and smiled. “Don’t fret. You’ve got enough for both of us, Ani.”
My gaze flittered over to a booth, and the moment I saw him, my stomach knotted. Anika locked onto my line of sight and rolled her eyes. “So, yeah. My brother’s here.”
I could see that. But I was more interested in who he was with.
Chastity Davis.
My not liking the girl had nothing to do with her, and I had to give credit where credit was due. She was smart, she was kind, and—fuck me—she was beautiful. Chastity was a senior, and Vik had graduated the year before. He’d never mentioned her, so I was a little stumped at the sudden need to go out on a very public date a week after I—
“…sleeping over at Melissa’s house tonight.”
I found focus once more. “Sorry, what?”
“I’m sleeping over at Melissa’s house tonight.” Without a second thought, Anika asked, “Want to come?”
Here was the thing. Anika was sweet; she always had been. She and I were very different people, but we always came back to each other. I wasn’t sure whether it was because our families were friends or the fact that we both knew what it was like to see our fathers covered in blood… and not their own.
Anika and I had a connection that seemed unbreakable. We had a love for each other that didn’t judge, and over the years, that connection turned solid. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
Except sleep at Melissa Forman’s house.
“I don’t think so, Ani.” My hesitation was clear.
Her face fell, and I hated that it made me feel bad. Anika wore her heart on her sleeve. “Are you sure? Her parents won’t mind, I swear.”
I was sure. “I’m not feeling it tonight.” Inhaling deeply, I let out my breath slowly, then shook my head. “I think I’m gonna go.”
Those pretty blue eyes widened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand. “Don’t go. You just got here.”
“Who’s going?”
Anika and I both turned toward the sound of the voice, and when I saw who stood there, my mouth parted slightly.
Santino Ricci.
He was a senior, he was gorgeous, and he didn’t talk to anyone. Like, anyone. He had the reputation of being a dreadful snob. But the dreadful snob was talking to us, right now.
I inwardly narrowed my eyes.
Why?
“Not you, I hope.” He looked directly at me. Those perpetually hooded eyes searched me lazily. The level of confidence he had was off the charts. Normally, I would steer clear, but Anika beat me to it.
“Nastasia isn’t having a good time. Maybe you could”—with a bump of her hip, she sent me flying in his direction—“entertain her.”
I slammed into his front, my forearms pressed up against his firm chest, and reflexively, he caught me, one hand coming to my shoulder while the other held me easily at the lower back.
Anika, the big fat liar, crooned, “Oh my God, Nas. Are you okay? I am such a klutz.”
Eyes wide, I blinked up at him. He smiled down at me. “Nastasia. That’s a nice name.”
“I—” Jesus, he was dreamy. “Yeah.”
His lip twitched. “I’m Tino.”
I stared at his lips and showed my level of intelligence when it came to handsome men, breathing out, “I know.”
His eyes crinkled, and he forced down a chuckle. “You wanna share a slice with me, bella?”
I was already nodding. Unfortunately, someone else answered for me.
“No, she doesn’t, because we’re leaving.”
Tino still held me close as Vik strode toward us. It took me a moment for what he said to register, and when it did, my brow bunched.
Like hell. I wasn’t going anywhere. “I’d like to stay.”
Vik took the two steps forward to meet me. Taking my hand, he gently pulled on it. “We’re going.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, we are.”
“I don’t want to go.”
Vik chuckled caustically. “You think I want to leave a date to take you home, Nastasia?” His gaze narrowed. “Because I don’t.” I don’t know why he did it, but what he said was cruel. “But when Daddy calls, I deliver, and he wants his baby home. Now. That’s why I get paid the way I do. Mercenary rates.”
Like I was nothing to him. As if he didn’t even like me. As though I was nothing more than a thorn in his side, a burden.
My cheeks heated, and I mourned.
For a second, I thought about lashing out. Unfortunately, that would show Vik just how much his words wounded me. So, I said nothing.
Mortified, I stepped out of Tino’s hold and dipped my chin. “I’ve gotta go. Sorry.”
Vik tugged on my fingers, but I snatched them back, tucking my hands into the sleeves of my sweater. I didn’t want him to touch me right now.
Anika glared at him before she stepped forward and hugged me tight. “Call me.” As she walked past her brother, she muttered, “You’re a dick.”
Vik escorted me outside and into his car. We didn’t talk the entire car ride. It was only when the vehicle stopped that I looked around.
This wasn’t my house.
My brow lowered in confusion. “Where are we?”
It looked like a park.
“You kissed me.”
Oh, shit. Okay. We were doing this? Now? Right now?
“You kissed me, Nas!”
Yes. I had.
Sinking into the seat, I covered my face with my hands. My words came out muffled. “I’m sorry.”
I wasn’t though. What I did was shoot my shot. It didn’t work out exactly the way I hoped, but at least I was brave enough to have done it.
“Why the fuck would you do that?” He followed up by yelling, “Why?”
I dropped my hands from my face, looked straight ahead, and revealed a quiet, “Because I wanted to.”
“Like you wanted to kiss Tino Ricci tonight? Is that your thing now, putting your lips on any fucking guy because you want to?”
Oh wow. I did not deserve this. And now I was pissed.
My eyes flashed, and I scoffed. “Better than trying to fuck some chick called Chastity, Vik.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“And what I do with any freaking guy is none of your business.”
“It is my business,” he boomed and for a split second, he looked unhinged. “You are my business!”
My heart kickstarted.
Nope.
I opened the door, slid out, and walked away. I heard the car door open, and the sounds of gravel shuffling at my back told me he was catching up.