“Oh,” he interrupted flatly, “I did forget something. You have a tendency to reject the obvious even when it’s smacking you upside the head with a two-by-four. Also, you’re a terrible liar.”
“I’m not lying!”
“Okay then. Look me in the eyes and tell me you’re not in love with him.”
She was horrified. This was ridiculous. “Alexi!”
“If it’s true, it’ll be easy. Just do it.” He folded his arms across his chest and stared at her, waiting, not angry but not happy, either, just…patient.
“This is stupid.”
“No, this is my price for letting you stay here.”
“What!”
He lifted his shoulders.
“Alexi,” she said through gritted teeth, “don’t make me kick your ass all over this room.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.”
He gave her a swift kiss on the forehead, turned,
