Suspicious Activities Read Free Page A

all.
    Nikki Waters had, for whatever reason, given him a second chance. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to waste it.
    * * *
    A NDREW M ILLER LOOKED no different than the last time she’d seen him. Chestnut hair, thick and falling at his chin, always tucked behind his ears. A jaw that was well defined and always cleanly shaven and lips plump yet not overly so. He had eyes that were brown, hooded by brows that were perfectly groomed. His clothes might have changed colors but not style. Even after everything he’d been through, he was still dressed as if he were going out to the opera when in actuality he was sitting at a restaurant that she knew for a fact hosted karaoke on Tuesdays. But Andrew wouldn’t care about a small detail like that. He knew he looked good and wanted others to know it, too.
    The cold that had surrounded Nikki quickly melted.
    Then heated up even more.
    “What are you doing—” she’d started to hiss when he held up his hand.
    “Nikki, why don’t you let me go first?”
    Andrew leaned back a fraction in his chair to appear nonchalant. But there was nothing nonchalant about him being there. In Dallas. In the bar. Right in front of her.
    No. This was wrong.
    “On the outside you appear to be compassionate, thoughtful, driven. Traits that are hailed as a trinity that, together, can ultimately create a good person. What you exude is a persona that many would pay for, fight for. You inspire, you rally, you persevere.” His small smile started to drip down his chin. “But I know who and what you really are.”
    “And what’s that?” she asked, no fear, just rising anger.
    “You’re an opportunist. A vulture waiting, circling its prey in hopes of devouring everything it’s ever worked for—everything it’s accomplished.” His jaw muscles tightened. He was baring his teeth.
    She wasn’t the only one warring with anger.
    “Everything I’ve accomplished,” he snarled.
    Nikki wanted to glance around at the surrounding tables to see if anyone was catching this non-speed-dating conversation, but there was something oddly transfixing about the man in front of her. Unlike Jackson, who had been intriguing with a good dose of some unknown pull, Andrew was an old face she had never thought she’d see again. And now she couldn’t look away.
    “If you’re itching to place blame, just look in a mirror,” she said, fire so hot in her words that they came out cold. “Don’t blame me for what happened.”
    Andrew slammed his fist against the tabletop with such force that Nikki pushed back in her chair.
    “You are the only person to blame,” he roared.
    The chatter around them died. For one long moment, all Nikki could hear were the soft sounds of the radio pumping through the wall speakers. She didn’t move, stunned.
    Andrew’s heaving chest settled into a more socially suitable clip. His smile reformed. He seemed to know he’d just caused a scene. He nodded to the people around them, then focused on Nikki again.
    “I’m not here to point fingers, Nikki,” he almost cooed. “I’m here to teach you a lesson about cause and effect. About consequences.” He leaned across the table.
    Nikki, not one to back down, especially for Andrew Miller, couldn’t help feeling the desire to pull away.
    “Cause—you destroyed me. Effect—now I’m going to destroy you.” His smile turned absolutely sincere. “So get ready, Nikki. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
    Andrew left the table quickly and quietly, exiting onto the sidewalk and walking out of view from the windows. The bell went off, signaling for the men to switch again. The woman to the right of Nikki leaned over.
    “Men like him make me think being single forever is not such a bad thing,” she whispered. Nikki’s eyes stayed on the door.
    “Amen to that.”
    Nikki collected her things and apologized to her next potential suitor. His eyes traveled to the voluptuous blonde two tables down as he said “No problem.”
    Downtown