Page 64 of Vow

Great.

“That was awkward,” Andino murmured.

Haven’s gaze flew back to the man of the hour, and her anger was back in a blink. “That was nothing. Why are you here?”

“Really, nothing?”

She wished the lump in her throat wasn’t so goddamn thick. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“I think we should talk about how pissed off you just were because I smiled at a woman, and she smiled back at me. That seems far more interesting.”

“I would rather not.”

“Pride’s a bitch, huh? I know all about that.”

Haven clenched her jaw. “Could you not right now?”

“Who else will call your shit out when I don’t?”

Good point.

That didn’t mean he had to make it, though.

Haven went back to her first question instead. “What are you doing here? And did you really think booking the private room behind my back to get a few minutes with me was a good idea?”

Andino didn’t blink at the face of her anger. “I don’t expect you to understand, Haven, but I am trying to be discreet in the way I do things lately. A hazard of my current position. I wanted—and needed—a few minutes with you, so this seemed like the best way. I don’t have to stay.”

God.

She hated how the first thing she wanted to do was simply say don’t go, stay. That she so badly wanted to ask why he wasn’t calling her nearly as much, or know what was happening in his life that was keeping him away from her.

Because even if a part of her did want him to just leave her the hell alone, another part of her wanted nothing more than to have him keep being … this man that was in front of her.

The man that didn’t stop. Didn’t take no for an answer. The man that showed up in her life, and inserted his presence there like that’s exactly where he was always meant to be whether she fucking liked it or not. This man—this infuriating, confusing, and strange man—who could put her on edge, take her to the top of the world, or crush her entire heart all in the same breath.

Andino had no idea the things he was capable of where Haven was concerned. He didn’t know—couldn’t possibly understand—the power he had over her. He didn’t have a single fucking clue how much she loved him.

God, she loved him.

And she hated him, too.

“I came to give you something,” he said, standing from the couch. For the first time, she noticed the folder that had been resting on his thigh when he flashed it with a wave of his hand. “And then be on my way.”

Haven swallowed the words in an attempt to keep them in, but the bastards still managed to slip out anyway. “Whatever that is—is it the only reason you came?”

“Of course not,” Andino murmured, coming closer. “I miss you. I always miss you, baby.”

She blinked.

Fuck my whole life.

Once he was close enough to hold the folder out to her, he did just that. Haven took it, but she didn’t look inside right away. Instead, she looked at him.

“The place still hasn’t sold, huh?” he asked. “Strange—this club should have flew off the market.”

“The buyer is a prick.”

Andino smirked. “I see.”