“We’re not dating,” he said. “I was just helping her with darts. Her boyfriend is in there.”

I glared at him, dubious. “Great. I have to go. I haven’t eaten.”

“Eat here,” he said. He offered a hopeful small smile. “I can teach you how to play, too.”

“I’d rather not be one of many. Thank you.”

“You’re not. You never have been.”

“No, just one of two.”

“Whether you believe it or not, Liis…you’ve been the only. There has never been anyone else but you.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up. I’ll see you at work on Monday. We have an early meeting.”

“Yep,” he said, taking a step back.

I slid into the driver’s seat and then stabbed the ignition with the key. The Camry made a dainty growl, and then I backed up and pulled away, leaving Thomas alone in the parking lot.

The first lit drive-through sign I saw, I pulled in and waited in line. Once I received my non-Fuzzy burger and small fries, I drove the rest of the way home.

My sack crinkled as I shut my car door, and then I walked to the lobby doors, feeling abysmal that my brilliant plan for distraction couldn’t have been more of a failure.

“Hey!” Val called from across the street.

I looked over at her, and she waved.

“You’re a hot bitch! Come to Cutter’s with me!”

I lifted my sack.

“Dinner?” she yelled.

“Kind of!” I called back.

“Fuzzy’s?”

“No!”

“Gross!” she yelled. “Liquor will be more satisfying!”

I sighed and then glanced each way before crossing the street. Val hugged me, and then her smile faded when she noticed my expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“I went to KC Barbeque. Thomas was there with a very tall and pretty blonde.”

Val pursed her lips. “You’re way better than her. Everyone knows she’s a total skank.”

“Do you know her?” I asked. “She is Polanski’s assistant.”

“Oh,” Val said. “No, Allie is super sweet, but we’re going to pretend she’s a skank.”

“Allie?” I whined, puffing out a breath like the wind had been knocked out of me. The name sounded exactly like the perfect girl who Thomas could fall in love with. “Kill me now.”

She hooked her arm around me. “I’m packing heat. I can if you want.”

I leaned my head onto her shoulder. “You’re a good friend.”

“I know,” Val said, guiding me to Cutter’s.

Chapter Twenty-Three

I FORCED A SMILE FOR AGENT TREVINO while stopped at check-in, and then I steered my Camry toward the parking garage. I was already in a foul mood from the weekend, and the fact that it was Monday wasn’t helping matters.