Free Harbour of Refuge by Aliyah Burke

me. I know you hit that again. I’m so jealous. Enzo Cassano. Details.”
    “We went to my place since he’s in town for the race. It was…better than it had been in Monte Carlo.”
    Mila released a low whistle. “Really? Because you were pretty damn sure no one would ever lay anything on you like he’d done. Now he tops it? I really hate you, bitch. I knew I should have gone after him.”
    “You’re practically engaged, Mila,” she reprimanded.
    “Please, I think Joe would forgive that indiscretion. The damn man has a crush like I do, if not worse. Enzo is his favourite driver. You should have seen his face when I told him the man was in town early. He wanted to know every detail.”
    Another reason Halyn hadn’t told her where they were going for dinner.
    “He wants to know if you would mind bringing him over for supper one night?”
    “Your boyfriend wants to know, or you do?”
    Mila flashed a grin. “Both.”
    Halyn shook her head. “No, sorry, Mila. I’m not his agent to set things up for him and I’m not going to abuse my relationship with him so you and Joe can take pictures with him. He came early for a reason and I will respect that.”
    “You and your damn small-town values,” she griped. “Are you sure? Maybe just stop by for like, drinks or something?” Mila was in her coaxing mode.
    “Nope. Because I know you, Mila. You two would have all your co-workers there and possibly the news. I won’t do that to him. Why would you ask that?”
    “Can’t we, like, just ignore those small-town values for a moment or two?” Mila grumbled.
    “Curse me all you want, Mila.” Deep down, she knew Mila would understand. “That’s foul play and you know it.”
    “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
    Both women jumped at the intrusion of the deep male voice and jerked their heads around. Enzo stood there, leaning against the counter further down, watching them with amusement in his gaze.
    Mila’s skin flushed red and Halyn was grateful that hers, darker, didn’t show it as much.
    “Enzo,” she breathed.
    He stood there in a dark green shirt and baseball cap. She couldn’t see the rest but it didn’t matter. Her body knew and responded.
    “Hello, Halyn. Good to see you again, Mila.”
    It didn’t take her friend long to recover from her embarrassment of being caught trying to weasel a visit from him to her dinner table. She stood tall, tossed her silky, black hair back and shoved her breasts forwards. Halyn bit back a groan.
    “I’m so glad to see you again, Mr Cassano.” Mila’s words dripped in invitation and came on a seductive purr.
    Girl knows how to play them . Halyn rolled her eyes and caught Enzo watching her, not Mila. A twinkle appeared in his eye as he winked at her.
    “So you want me to come for dinner?” He leaned towards her. “What’s on the menu?”
    Halyn crossed her arms and watched the scene before her unfold. Back and forth they parried until it seemed he was getting an Italian dinner and Halyn would be accompanying him as his date.
    Mila glowed as she said farewell and hastened out of the door. Humph. Not even a goodbye for her best friend.
    Alone in the store with Enzo, Halyn shook her head. “You know you didn’t have to do that.”
    “What? Get a free meal? I wonder if she realised she just promised an Italian a real Italian dinner.” He grimaced. “Can she cook?”
    Halyn laughed. “Don’t you think it’s a bit late to be wondering that?”
    His smile made her knees weaken. Damn him! He inched his way down the counter until he stood opposite her, then leaned over and kissed her lips. A gentle, tender kiss.
    “Thank you for protecting me.”
    She lowered her gaze. He lifted her chin and insisted on eye contact. “I just know Mila, so be prepared to have a lot of people there.”
    “Are you saying my time of being here in town without people following me around is coming to an end?”
    “If you go there? Yes.” She went to the door and turned the sign