Page 48 of Strictly Against Policy

“Because I’m going to go grab some tacos and agua fresca.” I grinned. “I doubt you’re full with how pretentiously tiny the portion sizes are here.”

The corners of Lina’s mouth quirked. “Why, Dr. Lo, I didn’t think you could be so generous. I suppose that makes sense, with that nice, shiny car you drive and the high-quality clothes you wear.”

I laughed. “Come on, Lina. I know you’re still hungry after eating two rolls of sushi and two plates of nigiri. I ate more than you did and my stomach’s still growling.”

“Were you watching me?” she asked, cheeks flaring.

I quickly put my hands up in the air in defense with a grin so wide my cheeks ached. “No. But I am allowed to look at what bill I’m paying for.”

She parted her pretty, glossy lips to respond as the valet pulled up in my Mercedes-Benz coupe. I grinned, walked over to the passenger’s side, and opened the door for her. “Well?”

“You’re lucky I love tacos,” she murmured as she walked over to me.

I noticed the slight limp in her walk and the small sigh of relief she let out when she took her seat in my car. I glanced quickly at her red, slightly swollen feet before closing the door. Once I adjusted the seat backward, we were well on our way to my favorite taco truck.

CHAPTER 22

Lina

“Are your feet bothering you?” Jonathan asked.

There was a small voice in the back of my head telling me I shouldn’t have gotten in his car and allowed him to take me home.

The original plan after my blind date was to take a rideshare home—even if Mateo offered. I didn’t want to send the wrong signals. Mary had insisted I let him drive me when she came by earlier to give me a pep talk and help me get ready. But I knew what was best for me.

When he didn’t show up, I considered getting a few cocktails and having fun by myself. But with that creep watching me from his corner of the restaurant, I had to refrain from drinking any alcohol to keep myself alert.

I hadn’t planned on seeing Jonathan, pretending he was the guy I was with, or getting into his car for the night.

Yet, the universe always seemed to have some sort of plan for us.

“What?” I responded, confused.

“It looked like your feet were hurting,” he clarified. “If you like, you can take off your heels.”

I didn’t realize he noticed. I didn’t wear heels often, so I wasn’t surprised when the throbbing, sharp pain settled in my toes and the arch of my foot as we waited for his car. I pushed past it to climb into his car, and I assumed I did so gracefully.

The apples of my cheeks warmed. “No, it’s okay.”

He fired immediately back with a, “You don’t look okay.”

“We’re not even close, so no. I’m not going to take my shoes off in your car.”

Jonathan let out a soft, melodious laugh. “Is this how you are on first dates?”

“We’re not on a date,” I countered. Never mind that I’ve never even been on a date before.

He didn’t say anything, allowing silence to creep into the car. Rock music played quietly in the background as I turned to him. His smile was wide and amused more than anything else.

“You like to fight, don’t you?” he asked.

I glanced back out the window to watch the town passing by. Streams of dim silver streetlight shone down on us one second and were gone the next.

“I like to win, Jonathan,” I said.

“So do I, Lina.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “However much you want to push and win, you’re uncomfortable and in pain. I suggest you take off those heels because you can’t always win if it’s hurting you.”

“Is that why you insisted on helping me under the guise of being a caring and responsible pharmacy manager?”