Chapter 25
Vivian]
My leftover anger deflates like a flat tire as I step beneath the cover.[]
“Did the napkin thing hurt your ankle?” I mumble.
“Nah. I was messing with you.” Our shoulders brush as he turns to face me, and I tense at our proximity, a tingle of something strange dancing down my spine.[]
Our gazes cling for several heartbeats. There’s something about him I can’t look away from…]
I’m glad you’re okay,” I admit grudgingly, focusing on his sneakers as I try to suss out why there’s a sense of familiarity about him. It’s more than just seeing him around Manhattan. I shake my head to clear the fog from it.[]
“Regrets, huh?” he says.[]
“I’m not normally a violent person.” But my moods have been off the charts lately. I snot cried during a toilet paper commercial yesterday. It had puppies frolicking around in toilet paper; I don’t even like dogs.[]
must have really gotten under your skin,” he murmurs. “Let’s start over, yeah? I’m Tuck. And you are…
1 catch my reflection in the puddles, knowing what he sees: a short nondescript girl, my hair tucked up in a hat, old glasses with raindrops on them, and no lipstick.
“Vivian. I told Kendra, like, five minutes ago.“]
me.”
“Missed it. I was distracted by your fiery attitude, but now you won’t even look at me.”
I move my gaze up, and he’s grinning. “Hi there,” he says softly.
“HI.”
“Was that so hard?“]
“No.” I shrug, then say, “I hope no one got us on camera. I don’t want to be on Twitter as harming New York’s favorite wide receiver.“[]
“Meh. Maybe they did; maybe they didn’t. But we’ve patched things up. Beautiful name, by the way. Are you Italian, Vivian?” He says my name slow, tasting the syllables.
“Maybe,” I say, then sigh. “Look. I’m sorry. Really. I thought it would drop on the floor and get Kendra’s attention. That’s all.“]
Truth? I spotted you making a beeline to her, and I was in a hurry. So…” .” He grimaces. “I cut you off on purpose.
Now you know.“]
“Rude jerk-
“Don’t hold back I
I wont 1
The friendly with Kendra and knew if I beat you, I might get my food quicker. I’m used to getting what I want when I want it. So you’re right. I’m an egotistical ashule, “[]
“I never said egotistical asshole” I smile. It’s hard not to. Maybe it’s the way his eyes crinkle in the corners when he smiles. Or the line of dimples.[]
He chuckles, and the sound of it reminds me of-
My thought is lost as the door to Cafe Lazzo opens and a man ambles out. Wearing a Pythons sweatshirt and joggers, he’s tall with frizzy blond hair that falls around his shoulders. Yo Kendra sold our food will be ready in five. You all right out here?“[]
Yeah, were cool My attacker adores me,” Tuck calls out to his friend
“In adding narcissist to your list,” I surmur[]
“That just hurts, Vivian,” he says on a laugh as he glances down at me
You should make a list of my flows 1]
Chapter 25
He searches my face. “Hmm, I’d start with… striking.” Oh.[]
“Nice throw in there. I’m Jasper,” says the friend as he walks to us.
“Vivian. I didn’t throw it. I eased it to the floor. Were you the guy saying ‘Tight, fight, fight?”
“Guilty.” He winks. “I saw the whole thing.“[]
“He lives for drama,” Tuck says dryly as he shuts the umbrella as the rain eases up. “So where are you headed, Vivian?”
“Um, actually, I live at Wickham. I’ve seen you around. In the lobby…” I stop at the wary expression growing on his face.[]
“What a coincidence.“[]
I shrug. “Most of the tenants know you live in the penthouse. You’re famous. And the doorman is lovable but a bit of a gossip.”
“Really. What’s the doorman’s name.‘
What the. “You don’t believe me?“]
“What’s his name?“]
Herman,” I say, frowning. “He’s worked at Wickham for over twenty years. He’s married to Catherine, and they have five grandchildren. I live on the twentieth floor with a view of Central Park. Happy now?“[]
“This little kitten just hissed at you, bro,” Jasper says with a smirk as he holds up a fist for me to bump. I ignore him.[]
A woman breezes out of the restaurant, getting our attention. Even the people on the street do a double take. Tall and willowy with honey–colored hair, she struts to us wearing a baby–blue sweater dress and thigh–high heeled boots. In her midtwenties, she checks me out with arched brows as she sweeps over my attire. She sniffs, her nose wrinkling as if I’m a dead fish. She hands over the bags of food to Jasper, and he takes them with an eye roll.]
She places her hand on Tuck’s arm possessively and tilts her face up.[]
“You left me alone to get the food, darling,” she says.
“I assumed you could handle it, Courtney,” he says. “It’s already paid for.“[]
