Despite who everyone thinks I am, I won’t fucking marry someone whose veil hides their tears.

“That’s cute,” I said, voice rough. “Thinking I give enough of a shit to chase her.”

I went to pick up the phone, and she pressed her hands harder on mine, pinning it down, digging into my skin with little nails I couldn’t help picturing digging into my back.

“I know you like her,” she said. “You can’t take back what you said in that room.”

I quirked my neck to the side, a rush of anger I couldn’t fucking tamp down washing over me.

“You’re right about one thing…” I lifted my hands in the air, pretending to surrender. Like I expected, Snitch lifted hers off the phone, and I snatched her wrist, ripping her to me.

“But it isn’t that I can’t take back what I said. You can’t take back what you heard, Snitch.”

Her eyes widened and she yanked at her wrist. “Let me help.”

I laughed. “The only way you can help is by getting the fuck out of my life. Or cleaning my shirts,” I added absently. “Maybe both.”

“That’s not true I…” She tugged her lower lip between her teeth. Once again that fucking kiss slammed into me.

More.

She was so greedy, so fucking eager.

“Maids talk!” she exclaimed. “I’m a secret weapon. I can figure out what she likes and doesn’t like. What she wants.”

Her eyes met mine again, brows drooping at my face, misunderstanding my tight jaw and glare. Good. She doesn’t need to fucking know I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.

She keeps looking at me. And I keep liking it.

Fucking bad sign.

“Seems like a lot of work when I could just get you out of my life for good right now.” My voice was too rough.

Lottie and I had been childhood sweethearts, and though people like us don’t get to choose who we end up with, I always wondered what it would be like to end up with her.

But it was never like this. With her hating me. With a deadline. With a fucking servant as my last hope—a servant whose kiss I can’t stop replaying in my goddamn head.

“It isn’t just because I need to stay,” she said softly. “I broke something priceless. I stole something that didn’t belong to me. Let me help get it back. I don’t expect you to believe me, but…I can’t live with myself if it ends this way.”

The earnestness in her eyes, the way her brows drooped in what looked like shame, once again had me believing her. Shame.

When was the last time I’d seen someone ashamed?

I loosened my grip, eyes sharp. “I guess I’ve done crazier things.”

“I’ll fix it. I promise.”