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“Why don’t you like me?”

“I never said I don’t like you.”

“You acted like Asher asked you to throw yourself off a cliff when he suggested you hire me.”

My jaw tightened. “I thought you weren’t here to talk about the nanny job.”

“I’m not. I’m here to talk about why you were so adamant about it. Don’t give me that not-hiring-in-your-friend-circle excuse either.” She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, and fuck me, I couldn’t help noticing how full and lush it was. Or stop myself from imagining how sweet it might taste, if only for a second. “Is it because of what happened in Budapest?”

Every muscle tensed at once. “Nothing happened in Budapest.”

A group of us had flown to Hungary for Vincent’s birthday last year. Everything had been fine until I saw Carina leaving with some guy she’d met at the club. Gut instinct had compelled me to follow them. And then…

I slammed the mental gates down before my memories got away from me.

Don’t think about it. The moment plagued me enough in my dreams. I didn’t need it torturing me when I was awake too.

Carina faltered. “I wouldn’t say it was nothing.”

I set my pint on the counter and turned to fully face her. My gaze bore into hers. “What do you think happened, Carina?” My tone was low. Bland. Deceptively so.

The air drew taut. Space was scarce at the crowded bar, and I was close enough to pick up on the small hitch in her breathing.

Budapest…

We hadn’t danced. We hadn’t kissed.

But despite my cool denial, something had happened. An infinitesimal shift in our relationship, a tiny spark of awareness that set me on edge every time I was near her.

I was aware of it.

I just couldn’t admit it.

Carina stared back at me, her throat working with a swallow. Her earlier confidence had dissipated, and her eyes were huge and uncertain. I felt like I’d kicked a baby doe.

Dammit.

It wasn’t her fault I was such an ass. She hadn’t done anything except exist near me; it was my own unwanted reactions to her that were the problem.

I opened my mouth to apologize, but she stepped away before I got a single word out.

“You’re right. Forget I said anything.” She shook her head and picked up her drink. “Good luck with your nanny search.” She actually sounded sincere about it, which made me feel like even more of a dick.

I watched her walk away, long dark hair swishing across her back. Her jeans hugged her legs in a way no jeans had the right to do, and the appreciative stares she attracted didn’t escape my notice.

I pressed my lips together and swung my gaze back to the bar, only to find Mac frowning at me.

“What?” I was not in the mood for more bullshit tonight.

“Nothing.” He muttered something else under his breath. I couldn’t hear what he said, but I was sure it wasn’t complimentary.

Nevertheless, I parked my ass at the bar and didn’t move until Carina left about an hour later.

Then, and only then, did I allow myself to really breathe.

CHAPTER 4

CARINA