Hooking Him (How to Catch an Alpha #3)(34)

“I’m not going to run away. I wouldn’t do that to Chrissie,” Anna says quietly, holding Gaston’s stare. “And I’m not going to go to the media. I know that would only fan the flames and, in the end, create more problems.”

“So what’s your plan?” I ask.

“I need to talk to Lance.” She chews the inside of her cheek. “I don’t know why he’s doing this now, but I need to make him understand he needs to stop and that there is no chance of us getting back together.”

“My guess is he’s doing all of this to save face. Right now,” I say, and she looks away. “It’s not about you; it’s about protecting his image. That’s why he spoke to the media about you two.”

“He’s right, Anna,” Gaston agrees, picking up a metal sheet pan with rows of cookies off a rack and heading toward the door with it. “Whatever you decide to do, you know we all have your back.”

“Thanks.”

“Anytime.” He gives her a smile, then disappears.

When he’s gone, she focuses on me and eyes me from head to toe as she frowns. “Have you been home since you dropped me off last night?”

“No, I was heading that way but stopped to see you first.”

Her eyes warm and her voice is soft when she asks, “Did you eat lunch?”

“I’m not hungry.”

I see the understanding in her gaze. “Do you want some coffee, then?”

“If it means you going out front, no. I’ll stop and pick some up on the way home.”

She nods. “Are you working tonight?”

“I have two open cases on my desk right now. Until I close them, I’ll be working.”

“I understand.” She doesn’t try to hide the disappointment in her voice.

“I still gotta eat and wouldn’t mind your company while doing that.”

“Okay.”

“I have to go back to work this afternoon for a few hours, but I should be home by the time you get off work. How about you come to my place, and I’ll cook dinner?”

“Or I can make something. I’m sure the last thing you want to do after being up all day is cook.”

“Can you cook?”

“I think so. I guess you’ll find out.” She smiles.

I take a step toward her, then lean in and touch my lips to hers. “You gonna be okay here?”

“Yeah.” She waves off my concern. “This too shall pass.”

“All right, I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’ll see you tonight,” she whispers against my lips as I kiss her once more. When I step away, I grin at the dazed look on her face, and she rolls her eyes, making me laugh.

I head out to the front of the shop and stop next to Chrissie and Gaston at the register before pulling out one of my cards and handing it to Gaston. “If things get out of hand here, just call, and I’ll come with a few of my men to clear the crowd.”

“Thanks, man.” He reaches his hand out to mine, and we shake once.

“Later.”

“Yeah, later.” Chrissie gives me a smile, and Gaston dips his chin.

I leave the shop and stop in my tracks when I see a newsstand down the block from the bakery with three shelves filled with the local paper. I buy them all, then toss all but one into a recycling bin on the way out, ignoring the looks I get.

Once in my truck, I open the paper and get stuck on the look in Anna’s eyes, a look that states very clearly she was uncomfortable. Not that the man next to her seemed to notice, or maybe he didn’t care. I throw the paper into the passenger seat, not even bothering to scan the story. Before I can drive off, my phone rings, and my mom’s name flashes on the screen.

“Mom,” I answer as I pull out into traffic.

“Calvin,” she says, sounding worried or nervous. I can’t tell which.

“Is everything okay?” I ask her when she doesn’t say more.

“Oh . . . I don’t know how to tell you this, especially after you spent yesterday with Anna.”

I frown. “What?”

“Anna, honey. I just heard she’s engaged and getting back with her ex.”

“She’s not getting back with her ex, Mom,” I say with a sigh. I should have known she’d hear about this latest drama and buy into the bullshit, like everyone else has.

“She is, Calvin. It was in the paper, and Jana said she even heard about the story on some podcast she listens to.”

“Jana, whoever she is, doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I just left Anna at the bakery, and she’s coming to my place tonight for dinner.”

“What?”

“I don’t have the time to explain this right now, Mom. All I can tell you is don’t believe what you read, and please don’t listen to what anyone is saying.”

“Are you sure, Calvin? The story said she’s here in town because she got cold feet and needed time to sort out her head.”

“She didn’t get cold feet. She wasn’t happy with him and ended things.”

“Why on earth would he lie?” She sounds flabbergasted.

“Why the fuck did he let her go in the first place, Mom? My guess is the guy’s an idiot.”