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Playing. The word landed like a boot to the ribs.

Kenny leaned closer. "You need to know your strengths and weaknesses. Yes, you're smart about business, but when it comes to men? You see what you want to see."

Oh, this motherfucker. I clenched my jaw so tight, my teeth ached.

"And what exactly am I seeing?" she asked.

"A guy who knows how to tell women what they want to hear."

She stared up at him. "Right. So, Mr. Pot, what you’re saying is that the kettle is black?"

His mouth tightened. "I made mistakes. I've admitted that."

"No, Shaggy, you didn’t actually. Not even after I caught you."

“Is that supposed to be an insult, calling me a cartoon character?”

“Hmm.” Her eyes narrowed. “Using context clues, do you think I was referring to Scooby-Doo’s sidekick or maybe the reggae singer whose early aughts hit was a morality tale of a man who gets caught cheating red-handed, buck naked on the counter, in the shower, even on camera but continually denies it claiming, “It Wasn’t Me.” I mean, honestly, I’m surprised it’s not your ring tone.”

"Whatever, that's not the point."

"Funny. It’s a pretty significant point to me."

I should've stepped in. Should've walked over, put my arm around her, and escorted her away from the human equivalent of suspicious gas-station sushi.

But something kept me rooted to the spot. Because I needed to hear what she said next. Needed to know whether the last four days had meant even half as much to her as they'd meant to me.

"You're doing it again," Kenny stated, his tone dripping with condescension.

"Doing what?"

"Letting a guy make a fool out of you."

Her shoulders stiffened.

"You think you're different?” he continued. “That you're the one woman who's going to change him?"

I shifted my weight forward, fighting the urge to step between them.

"Everyone knows Damon Lockhart doesn't do relationships, Mikayla. You're not special. You're just the latest woman stupid enough to believe the Heartbreaker changed for her."

That was it. This shit ended now.

"Funny," I said, walking toward them. "I was just thinking how stupid a man would have to be to cheat on Mikayla Parsons."

Kenny’s head spun in my direction. His eyes widened when he saw me.

Good.

I'd been told I could look intimidating when I wasn't smiling. Apparently, tonight was the night to test that theory.

"Damon." Mikayla's voice was quiet.

I kept my eyes on Kenny. "You got something you want to say about me, you say it to my face."

Kenny lifted his hands in mock-surrender. "I'm just looking out for her."

I laughed. It wasn't a nice sound. "That's rich. You couldn't look out for her when you were sleeping with her best friend, but now you're suddenly concerned about her well-being?"