charges from felony to misdemeanor, he also said he was moving forward to expedite the request to have the charges expunged altogether. Blaine had already told her before they even walked out of the courthouse that day that she may not even have to stand before the judge for that.
“Beautiful evening, isn’t it?”
Slowing her walking a bit, Danica nodded but refused to give into anything he might be there for. “Why are you here?”
“Oh, it was just so nice I thought I’d go for a drive.”
“To the end of my block?” she asked, rolling her eyes.
“Your block? I thought you lived with Orlando now?”
Gulping hard, she wondered how much his obsessive ass had looked into Orlando and the shop. Obviously, he knew his name now. She didn’t think he’d remember it from way back. Refusing to give into his baiting, she didn’t respond to his comment and kept walking.
“I had an interesting conversation today in the elevator with Felicia.” This stopped Danica in her tracks, but when she didn’t look at him, he went on. “She asked me about the scene outside the courthouse the day of your hearing. Said she was just curious because she knew you two.”
Now Danica glanced at him as he smiled a bit too satisfied, but still she refused to give him anything. Her heart thudded, wondering why he was really there. What else had Felicia told him that gave him the balls to follow her tonight?
“Aren’t coincidences the darndest things?” He crossed his arms in front of him, smiling smugly. “You ending up with the same guy who came on to you just a week before you moved out of my place is just crazy, right?”
Danica glared at him, her insides going hollow as she inwardly prayed he didn’t know everything. But he went on, obviously not done with whatever it was that had him there to begin with. “What do you say, after everything I’ve done for you, you give me the only thing I’ve been asking from you for weeks?” He motioned to his car. “Have coffee with me. I just want to talk to you for a few minutes.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Ted.”
“Why? Because it would upset your new boyfriend?”
“That, and the fact that I have nothing to discuss with you anymore.” She lifted her chin, determined to end this once and for all. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but things between you and me—”
“Does Orlando know everything about your dark past, Danica?” Pushing away from the car, he pulled his keys out of his pocket, the satisfied smirk just a little too smug. “I think having that cup of coffee with me is in your best interest now, sweetheart.”
“He does know. I’ve told him everything, and I told you I’m not going anywhere with you.” She stood her ground firmly, despite the growing unease of what else he might try to threaten her with, so she went first. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say it to me now because, after tonight, if you continue to follow me or even call me, I’ll get that restraining order and then go to the press about it.”
“Tell me something. Does he really believe you’re there for him?”
Peering at him, Danica shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe like when you used me to pay your bills, foot your attorney’s fees, and put a roof over your head, you might have ulterior motives for moving in with the successful business owner.”
“I never asked you to pay any of my bills. I didn’t pay anything when I lived with you because you refused to let me, and you paid for Blaine on your own, remember?” She clutched the bag of pan dulce, angry that he’d be implying she used him but worse that she might be using Orlando. “I didn’t even know you’d retained Blaine until he called me to set up our first meeting.”
“Blaine said you’d be seeking new representation. You expect me to believe you’ll be paying for that?”
“It’s none of your business who’s paying for—”
He scoffed, shaking his head. “I knew it. Just admit it, Danica. There’s no way I’m buying that you’d get over me and move on this fast. You’re with this guy out of convenience.” She shook her head adamantly, but he went on before she could retort. “Danica,”—he took a step toward her again—“you have no idea what being away from you has done to