Page 67 of Burning Caine

“Sweetie—”

And slammed it behind me.

What did they think? I was some dainty little princess who needed to be bubble-wrapped?

My ankle-length skirt floated behind me as I made my way down the stairs. Cass didn’t come after me, so she must have left. I stopped halfway and squeezed the railing so tight my fingers hurt. Vin was nine years ago. Why did she have to bring that up? We met in Amelia during postgrad and I fell for him too hard and too fast. He’d pledged his undying devotion, and I’d fallen for every line of it. Seeing through a man’s need to prove his virility was probably the most important lesson I’d learned while I was there.

The fountain in the river let out a great spray, and colored lights danced in the water. The green wrought-iron fence at the water’s edge was decorated with white balloons and a large crowd of people in tuxedos and gowns filled the area.

As for Antonio? He wasn’t a stalker. He was charming, thoughtful, and intelligent. He made me feel special. More beautiful than I’d felt since the day I left Amelia. He…he…he what?

He was Brenton, and I was the road. He was family, and I was solitude. I stared at the fountain, seeing only the blur of water and lights. He was all wrong for me. He was playing a game and nothing more. I had to put him out of my mind.

Easier said than done.

I continued to the gazebo. It was large enough to squeeze at least thirty people underneath, but there were only four, deep in conversation. A fifth leaned against an upright, facing the fountain. Sofia wasn’t one of them. I pulled my phone out of my clutch and checked the time. Seven o’clock on the dot.

Maybe I’d watch the fountain while I waited for her. As I passed the gazebo, I looked again at the man standing apart from the small group. His back was to me, tall, broad shoulders, and then he ran his hand through his hair. And it hit me.

I froze and my instincts told me to call Cass to pick me up. But running home to her wasn’t what I wanted.

I wantedhim. And it was damn-well time I did something about it. Screw Cass and Nathan’s warning. Screw my own doubts.

“Antonio?” I asked, my voice unsteady.

He turned his head. “Samantha!” His mouth fell open, and he immediately straightened. He wore a black one-button tuxedo with satin lapels and good god, he was gorgeous. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Sofia said you cancel—” My fingertips began to tingle. Was this his doing or hers? “I think we’ve been set up.”

The surprise on his face flashed to irritation, as he muttered Sofia’s name. It contorted further into anger. He tore his ticket from his pocket and held it out to me. “My sister can be persistent. You should call your boyfriend. I’m sure aprettyman like him has a tuxedo lying around.”

I rubbed my fingers together to get the blood flowing and summoned all my courage. “I’m sorry.”

He continued to offer the invitation. “No need to apologize for my sister’s meddling. Take my ticket. Have a good evening.”

I was setting myself up for failure. For once, I didn’t care. “No, I mean, I’m sorry I told you I’m dating him, because I’m not.”

His hand dropped, the invitation still in it. The fountain exploded in color, and the crowd oohed over it, while he stared at me, eyes narrowed. “You said you were. You lied?”

My heart was thundering and all my instincts told me to stop. Instead, I nodded my head.

“Why?”

“Because you wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I panicked.”

“That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.” His face was softening, the anger fading.

“You’re right.” I blinked at him several times, my fingertips regaining feeling. “Why were you at The Train Station last Saturday?”

He ran a hand through his hair again, looking back to the water, his shoulders sagging. “I heard you on the phone with him when you were picking up the repair. I thought I would surprise you away from the studio.”

I swallowed hard, pushing down the lump in my throat. “Why?”

“You turn me down every time I ask. I thought seeing me away from work would make a difference.” He looked down at the ornate brickwork around the gazebo, silent. Through all our other meetings, all the faces I’d seen from him, the constant had been overwhelming confidence. This shy, quiet side pulled at my heart.

I touched his arm, and he looked back up at me.

Taking my hand gently and kissing it, he whispered, “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”