“May I?” I pointed toward the chair across from her because I was suddenly scared that she might hurt me if I didn’t ask permission first.

“That is why I’m here,” she said, her tone snarky.

My gut reaction was to be as defensive and brash as she was being, but I knew that wouldn’t work. Any asshole behavior from me, and she’d storm out of here and never look back, and then I’d be back at square one. I couldn’t let that happen. I’d be fucked without her.

When I noticed a server heading in our direction, I nodded my head and waved her off. She got the message, promptly turning around on her heels and making a beeline in the opposite direction.

“Thank you for coming. For even considering this crazy idea,” I said quietly before looking around. There wasn’t anyone I recognized, but that didn’t mean our conversation was safe from prying ears or eyes.

She cocked her head to the side, as if sizing me up, before shaking her head. “I can’t do this,” she said before shoving her chair back and standing.

I reached out, desperate to make her stay, and my hand grabbed ahold of hers. Those green eyes shot lasers at where I touched her skin, and I pulled back quickly.

“Please sit. Don’t go.”

Sutton begrudgingly sat back down and scooted closer toward the table between us. “I still hate you,” she admitted before she started laughing. “It’s ridiculous, I know. But seeing you brings it all back.”

Damn.

I hadn’t expected that kind of reaction. Especially when I was sitting there, trying not to salivate all over the table at the sight of her. I remembered her being hot the first time we met, but she truly was a stunner.

“What can I do to change that?” I genuinely asked. I found myself not wanting her to despise my existence the way she obviously did. Even though she’d been the one holding a lighter at my junk that night, I started thinking that maybe, just maybe, I’d done something to deserve it.

“Be a different person.”

“Ouch,” I said out loud. “It has been two years. Maybe I’ve changed?” I suggested, and she laughed again, the melody going straight to my groin. I shouldn’t have been as turned on by this woman as I currently was. Didn’t my dick remember how she’d wanted to maim him?

“Doubtful.”

“You’re right.” I decided not to lie. “I’m still the same. Any other ideas?”

“Go back in time and make sure it never happens?” she suggested with a slight grin, and I wanted to hate how hard she was making this, but I could see her facade starting to crack.

“Is there any way we can pull this off without you wanting to murder me in the process?” I asked, my tone genuine.

“I don’t know. Kayla said that your mom’s tough and she won’t be fooled easily, and you make me ragey.”

My mom was going to be a hard sell. She wasn’t naive, and she paid attention to details that most of us never took the time to see.