“So, what else do you do for fun besides sell art?” Rhett asked.
I realized I’d let the conversation fall into a semi-awkward lull after the server took our drink orders. I opened my mouth and shut it again immediately. I’d almost told him that my favorite thing to do was paint. But I didn’t tell anyone that. Apparently Rix’s insistence that my work was good, and Yve and Lucas’s purchase of my piece, was emboldening me.
Instead, I went with my canned answer. “I enjoy volunteering, improving my green thumb, and target shooting.”
Rhett’s smile was quick. “I suspected you were a hell of a woman, and now I’m sure of it.”
I laughed. “It’s the green thumb, right? Don’t get your hopes up, because when I say improving, I mean it’s a work in process. I can’t cook, I’m a terrible housekeeper, and I’m absentminded when I’m tied up in business stuff. So you should probably reassess your opinion until you land on something more realistic.”
“And you’re legitimately modest,” he added.
My cheeks heated with my blush. “I’m aware of my faults and shortcomings. I consider that one of my strengths. Although, I’d rather spend time improving my strengths than working on my weaknesses. It seems to be a better investment of my time.”
“I’m going to add unique to the list.”
The server returned with my glass of wine and Hennessy’s two fingers of bourbon before I could respond, and asked for our orders. I opted for the bouillabaisse and Rhett chose the duck.
After the server collected our menus, I turned the questions back on Rhett. “What do you like to do? Besides fight crime and keep the city safe?”
He smiled and sipped his bourbon. “Spend time with my folks, watch football, hunt, fish, and take out beautiful women.”
My eyebrows went up. “Women as in plural?”
“I try to keep them to one at a time. I don’t often find myself in my current predicament.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Being more interested in her than she is in me.”
Wow. He was just going to lay it all out like that, was he?
“Excuse me?”
Rhett leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. “There’s something going on with you, and I know you don’t want me to know what it is. But I am a detective, and that means I know when something’s not right. Why don’t you save us this song and dance and just tell me what’s happening? If I can help, I will. If you’re in trouble, I can get you out.”
I dropped my gaze to my wine and took a drink. A really, really big drink.
“Guess that’s all the answer I need then.” He set his glass down on the table. “So cut the shit, Valentina, and tell me what it is.”
I sucked back the rest of my wine, not meeting his eyes until I lowered my glass.
“I’m not in trouble. I’m fine.”
“I don’t believe you.”
I had to give him something. He wasn’t going to leave it alone. And I sucked at lying. “You said you’ve taken out multiple women. Well, I’m seeing someone else too. And no, I’m not telling you who he is.”
Hennessy reached for his bourbon and knocked back the rest. “Guess I was right, then. I’m definitely more into you than you’re into me.”
I smiled weakly. “I . . . This wasn’t exactly planned.” To myself I added, And “seeing” isn’t even accurate because I don’t have a clue what I’m really doing with him.
“Some of the best things aren’t planned.”
The server stopped by our table to deliver another round of drinks, and both Rhett and I reached for them immediately.
“So, I totally understand if you just want to take me home and forget I exist,” I said after another gulp of liquid courage.
Rhett shook his head. “Nah. I’m not out of this race yet. I’m sitting across from you, not him. That means I’ve still got a shot.”
I was an idiot. It took me until just that moment to recognize that I’d found myself caught between two men who were the rare and mystical alpha breed. And I’d just made this a competition. Neither Rix nor Rhett were the kind of guy to turn down a challenge.
“Well . . . um . . .” Come on, Valentina, think of something to say.
I was rescued once again by the server who asked if we were interested in dessert or needed boxes. I took that moment to excuse myself and headed to the ladies’ room.
Once inside, I locked the door and stared at my reflection in the mirror. “What the hell am I doing?”
I pulled my phone from my bag and saw I had missed a text message from Rix. It was a single word.
RIX: MINE.
Would he be inside my house waiting when I got home tonight? What if Rhett kissed me at the door? Would Rix come storming out and . . . God, what would he do? My anxiety jumped several notches.