Page 19 of Twisted Beauty

6

Liv

That man was infuriating. What an ass.

“Hey, slow down!” Katie called after her.

It wasn’t that Liv didn’t hear her, or that she was trying to lose her or anything. She just needed to do something to calm herself down. Powering uphill seemed like her best option right now.

When she’d first stepped into the magic shop, she would have sworn Matt looked happy to see her. If not happy, at least appreciative. She felt his gaze sweep over her, and those delicious brown eyes of his left a wake of tingles along her skin. If it wasn’t for the disturbing reaction of her body, she would have taken a moment to feel flattered.

She’d never admit it to Katie, but she hadn’t quite been able to get Matt off her mind since the barbecue. His broad shoulders, the way his t-shirt clung to the hard angles of his chest and biceps, the dark splatter of hair on his muscular legs. Who knew board shorts could look that sexy? And knowing he’d moved to Mexico to help out his elderly grandfather made her feel a little warm inside. She’d even wondered if she was too quick to label him an asshole.

Until, out of nowhere, he’d thrown them both out of El Brujo Loco. As if they’d lit the place on fire, or run over his dog. Seriously, what could either of them possibly have done to deserve that?

Nothing, that’s what. They hadn’t done a damn thing.

Considering Matt’s grandfather was the most generous, kindly man she’d met in a long time, it was hard to believe they were even related.

Just thinking of Tito calmed her down. The way he’d escorted her through his shop and explained every little detail had made her feel special, like he’d invited her into a private world reserved only for the people who mattered most. He’d even trusted her with that crazy looking statue, telling her it was the only thing in the shop that Katie wouldn’t touch, and gestured with a devious little smile for Liv to take it to her. He was exactly the type of grandpa she’d always dreamed of having.

And Matt was his grandson? How did that even happen? Genetics aside, Matt’s behavior was inexcusable. Truly loco. It made her want to punch someone.

No, not someone. Matt. She wanted to punch Matt.

Too bad Liv wasn’t a violent person. She was pretty much the definition of a pushover. And honestly? She was sick to death of it.

No more assholes. Period. She was still reeling from the last one.

The next guy she dated would be kind and loyal and trustworthy. Though with a description like that, he’d probably also have four legs and a tail. Maybe that was the answer. She’d adopt a dog instead. Or ten. Then she’d be the canine version of a cat lady.

That was depressing.

She stopped abruptly at the corner, panting from the exertion and the heat and the frustration, and waited for Katie. Not that she had a choice. If she took another step, she’d be run over by the endless swarm of cars vying for position as they sped past along the cobblestone street. She’d only been in Mexico for a couple of days, but one thing she’d learned already was that pedestrians did not have the right of way here.

When she looked up from the traffic, she saw a gorgeous church across the street. She’d read about this one on the plane, Our Lady of Guadalupe. An icon of the city.

It definitely lived up to its reputation. The architecture was stunning, with three towers that rose up toward the sky, built entirely of brick. The center column was the tallest, housing a bell halfway up and a huge crown at the top. She watched people coming and going through wooden double doors, propped open and inviting. She took a few more steadying breaths, and managed to calm herself by the time Katie caught up.

“Holy crap. Where’s the fire, Livvy?”

“What, you didn’t see the smoke coming from my ears?”

Katie chuckled through gasps, trying to catch her breath. “I have no idea what Matt’s problem is, but I wouldn’t take it personally.”

How could she possibly not take that personally? Well, whatever. Forget him. “So can we go inside that church?”

“Sure, as long as there’s no service right now.” Katie leaned forward to place her hands on her thighs, still panting. “Wow, I’m really out of shape.”

“You think it’s disrespectful to take photos in there?”

Katie straightened up and shrugged. “I saw a guy go in the other day with a camera like yours, snapping away like he owned the place.”

Liv tried to focus. She really wanted to go inside, but damn, she was still so pissed. Still so blindsided by Matt’s unprovoked anger. “Maybe there’s something wrong with him.”

“No, I really think it’s okay to take photos,” Katie said.

“What? No, Matt. Something wrong with Matt. Maybe he’s like the Hulk.” A dangerous, Latin-lover version of the Hulk. “Can’t control his temper so he turns puce and goes ballistic without warning.”