Page 46 of Tears of Glass

“What does that mean?”

“He’s got a soft spot for you. Come on, you can see that, right?”

I frown and smack my hand in his direction. It meets solid abs and my fingers tingle with the impact. I can recall all too well what he looks like under his beautiful clothes.

“I doubt it. I’m far too old and scary.”

Elijah chuckles a little. “Yes, you are truly frightening.”

“How’s work going?” Oh, this is why this is a bad idea. I’m starting conversation now. I don’t do conversation.

I stare down at my feet and notice we are walking in time. It’s like the universe is laughing at my attempts at self-preservation.

“It’s, uh, boring.” He chuckles again, the sound lifting above the hum of traffic and the mingled rumble of a million other conversations taking place in London.

“Boring? Is that the way a barrister is supposed to talk?” The blues flash over me again. “Or are you still battling to free the artist inside?” This is low, even for me. Even after what he did.

“Ouch.”

I shrug, keeping my cool, but inside I’m regretting the little dig. But then maybe if I was more of a bitch, he’d leave me alone.

“Now the question of the night is, what do you prefer? Chicken nuggets or a Big Mac?”

“What?” I look at where we’ve stopped. A McDonalds...

“For real? You are taking me to eat at McDonalds for your apology meal?”

He grins and I know he thinks he’s winning. Maybe he is. Just a little bit. “Who says this was my apology meal? Maybe I’m just craving some processed beef.”

I raise an eyebrow and his gaze drops to my mouth. My breathing hitches painfully in my throat. I need to stop that shit.

“Big Mac?” I send him a small smile.

“All the way. Please tell me you aren’t going to make me hurl by dipping fries into your chocolate milkshake?”

My eyes narrow. “Who told you that?”

He smiles but doesn’t give anything away. “I would never reveal my sources.”

Am I really going to go and have a McDonalds value meal with the man who broke my heart?

Did he though? Wasn’t he just protecting me? Trying to protect me the way he’s always trying to protect Tabitha...

I sigh and it’s a deep desperate sound.

“Come on then. I am really hungry.”

He grins and hell it’s beautiful, the most gorgeous thing I’ve seen in weeks. He pulls on the handle of the door and ushers me in with his other hand. “After you, my fair lady.”

And I giggle. Hell do I giggle.

***

“SO, TELL ME.” I DUNK a chip into my shake and then pop it in my mouth while he stares at me in disgust. “Why the focus on you? Why do your mother and godawful grandbaronessy care if you get married? Or what you do even?” I slurp some chocolate milkshake up the straw, keeping my eyes trained on him. “I mean Peter is going to inherit the family title. He’s the one who will take the family forward.”

Elijah’s eyes harden at the mention of his brother. “It’s complicated.”

“How’s it complicated?” I straighten my back and push away my drink. “You always say things are complicated.”