Page 60 of Dallas Rivals

His next words come from behind me, distant but cutting. “Then don’t go.”

I stop.

Turn on my heel.

Face him head-on.

“Why not?”

For a second, I feel the power shift.

His eyes dart away, his arms fold across his chest. He’s on the defensive, and he knows it.

“Because… because it’ll get late, and you won’t have a damn clue how to get back, and⁠—”

“I told you not to worry,” I cut in, voice sharp. “If I can’t make it back, I’ll just stay with Roger.”

There. I said it.

He plants his hands on his hips, eyes locking on mine—furious, burning, full of something that feels a whole lot like a promise.

And that’s when it hits me.

I’m in trouble.

He is going to say something, but then, a white van turns into the long driveway. We both see it coming and fall silent, watching as it stops in front of the house.

A short man steps out, thick Texas drawl and all. He starts talking to Oliver, introducing himself as part of the crew that’ll be clearing the debris.

Oliver asks a few questions—none of which I care to hear, because right now, I’m too damn mad at him.

So, I start stepping back.

Quietly.

Putting distance between me and the problem that almost exploded a minute ago.

“Cala,” he calls “I’m not done with you.”

What does that even mean?

“Well, I’m done,” I shoot back, turning my back on him.

I’m not getting dragged into another one of his storms.

I’ve got animals to feed, plants to tend to—and a heart that needs guarding.

Bishop Arts is everything people say it is—artsy, bohemian, and flat-out beautiful.

Bars have live jazz spilling into the street, art galleries stay open past midnight, and the whole neighborhood glows under strings of colored lights.

It’s cozy, vibrant.

Makes me feel like I’m back in college again, soaking up every drop of culture I can find.

The restaurant we picked is called Chimichurri. The place is wild. Walls plastered with Argentine icons and pink neon signs flashing things like Don’t cry for me, Argentina. It’s packed, and everyone seems to be having the time of their lives.

Roger really tried tonight.