Nilay and Daniel continued to chat amiably about driving and food, while enjoying their snack. Watching them gave her a warm feeling in her chest that she had long since forgotten. She forgot that she was trying to not like Daniel and was lost in that stolen moment of happiness when the door jingled and a familiar blond head reared in.

The blood drained from her head. He looked the same. No less than five women of varying ages turned to watch him walk in, expensive suit fitting like a glove, lopsided grin plastered to his face. He was aware of every eye.

Steven.

When they were together, he had never come down to the bar to see her or even have a meal, but now here he was. Walking like he owned the room, soaking up every last bit of female attention.

He was with a few of his colleagues from work. Before she could move toward the door to make him leave, he and his friends entered and sat down at Bobby’s end of the bar. She froze. Her sudden stop caught Nilay’s eye, and it took him only a moment to follow her gaze and absorb what was happening. Before she could say anything, Nilay bolted up and out of his stool toward them. Annika recovered control over her body and followed him, trying to stop what she knew would not end well for anyone. In her periphery, she caught a surprised Daniel turning and walking toward Nilay.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Nilay demanded.

Nilay had seen through Steven the first time they’d met. Annika had blown off her brother’s concerns as childish, but she wouldn’t ever make that mistake again. She came around and stood in front of her brother to face Steven.

“Leave, Steven.” Annika gritted her teeth in an attempt to not empty her stomach right there and then. How she was not screaming at the top of her lungs, she had no idea.

Steven was completely stunned, clearly having no idea what bar he had walked into. But in true Steven style, he quickly assessed the situation and recovered.

“Hey, kid.” He swept his gaze past Annika to Nilay.

“Don’t you hey, kid me.”

Annika felt Nilay try to push past her. She held her ground. “Just leave, Steven.”

Steven nodded, blue eyes finally resting on Annika. “How have you been?”

Annika paused, seeing something there she hadn’t expected to see.

“How has she been?” Nilay was almost shouting. “How has she been? Are you crazy? You, of all people, do not get to ask that. Now leave! Before I make you.” With that, Nilay was able to push past his sister, so he was toe-to-toe with Steven.

Steven chuckled. “You’re going to make me?”