Page 31 of This Life of Mine

We hold each others gaze for a moment, until I chicken out and look away.

“Well,” I say, glancing toward the kitchen, “it’s getting late. I should get your dinner started before we close.” I smile genuinely. “Thank you for the kind words—and for coming back. It truly means a lot. Val and I put our heart and soul into this place.”

I hesitate, then add, “I hope you enjoy your meal.”

“Alex,” he says, as I turn away.

I stop and turn back.

He’s holding out a small matte black card between two fingers.

Curiosity beats caution by a hair so I take the card.

Alex Lombardi.

“I figured you could at least tell Kay you got both my name and my number.”

My heart literallydives.

“Oh—God.” Heat rushes to my face. “I’m so sorry. Kay and the other staff members are always trying to…hook me up with someone.” I gesture vaguely behind me, words tumbling out too fast. “They mean well, but they have this ongoing mission to fix my personal life, which—just to be clear—wasnotmy intention here. At all. I wasn’t trying to get your number under any sort of…pretense.”

Why am I still talking?

Alex’s brow lifts slightly, amusement flickering as he tilts his head. “I see,” he says calmly, “I assume that means you’re single.”

“Yes—no—well,” I stumble. “I mean, yes. I am single. Very single.” I laugh, instantly regretting the emphasis. “But I wasn’t coming over here in athis-is-a-setupway. Or aplease-give-me-your-numberway. I’m just doing my job.”

I wince. “Professionally.”

For the love of God, someone SHUT ME UP!

“I didn’t want Kay thinking she failed at her little operation,” he says easily, gesturing to the card. “That’s all.”

“Oh...” Relief and mortification crash together. “Right. Of course.”

“Well—anyway,” I add quickly, seizing my escape, “I should really get going.”

I turn, only to remember my manners at the very last moment. “Oh—and my name is Lina. Lina Hill. Nice to meet you, Alex. And again, so sorry for thisvery awkwardencounter. I’m going to head into the kitchen now and put a pot over my head.”

“Nice to meet you, Lina,” he replies, that familiar half-smile returning. Unrushed. Unbothered. Like the entire exchange amused him more than it unsettled him.

I nod and retreat toward the kitchen, my embarrassment trailing behind me.

“What the fuck was that?” I mutter to myself.

I bury my face in my hands, wishing I could disappear after making such a spectacular fool of myself.

With a quietfuck it, I finish his order and hand it to Kay. Then I throw myself into closing tasks, wiping counters that don’t need wiping and organizing shelves already in order. Anything to stay back here. Anything to avoid walking back out there while every nerve in my body feels stripped bare.

As I move through the warmth and clatter of the kitchen, his name lingers.

Alex.

It fits him better thanMr. Mever did.

Chapter ten

The Wraith