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if you step aside.”
    Although this guy was doing his best to appear nonchalant, it was clear to Michael, who made a living by reading people, that he was uptight as hell and spoiling for a fight. No telling how far he’d take this.
    “It’s not going to happen. There’s no way I’m letting Sue down. Now, leave.” She walked into her bedroom, and before she could shut the door, he shoved it open. “I asked you to leave, Jason. You will never set foot in my bedroom again. Leave me alone!”
    It took a considerable amount of restraint on Michael’s part to not intervene. He consciously unballed his fists.
    The guy’s cool facade fell away and his face flushed red up to his hairline. “You bet I’ll leave you alone. That’s all you’ll ever be: alone . No man in his right mind could put up with your flakiness. I don’t know how I did it, honestly.”
    The hurt look on Mia’s face made Michael’s gut churn.
    The man shook a finger at her as if she were a naughty child. “What I do know is that since you refuse to do the right thing and stay home, you will behave at this wedding. You will be where you’re supposed to be and I’ll be there to make sure you get to each event on time.”
    “I’m not some animal that needs to be given commands and yanked from place to place, Jason.”
    “Hey. Great idea. I should bring a collar and leash to make sure you get to the wedding on time!”
    And at that moment, Michael felt like the biggest asshole in history. Hearing words so similar to the ones he had said to Mia the day before drove a painful spike through his chest. He had to make it up to her somehow. This guy thought she wasn’t dating material? Well, Michael was about to prove him wrong. Way wrong.
    Digging down deep, he pushed his remorse and anger aside and assumed a pleasant expression. “Are you ready for dinner, sweetheart?” Michael asked, strolling casually into the apartment, hyper-aware he was barefooted. He couldn’t recall the last time he left his home without shoes. Maybe it would add to the effect he was going for—the intimate boyfriend. The stunned look on Mia’s face almost made him laugh out loud. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a guest.” He extended his hand to the equally surprised Jason. “I’m Michael Anderson.”
    “Oh, uh. I’m Jason Tipton. Nice to meet you.”
    Mia’s surprise had turned to amusement. Seeing Jason so off guard probably clued her in to Michael’s game. She was quick. He liked that. “I’m almost ready. I was interrupted.” She gave Jason a pointed look. “I’ll just be a sec…honey.” And with that, she disappeared into her bedroom and closed the door, leaving the two men alone.
    The silence was awkward, but Michael loved it. He sat on the sofa and studied the other man in the chair across from him. Based on his fidgeting and repeated glances to the door she had disappeared through, Jason was clearly as uncomfortable as he had made Mia, but that wasn’t good enough.
    Finally, Jason broke the silence. “So, I guess I should be going.”
    “Oh, no. You’re a friend of Mia’s so I’m sure she wants you to join us at my place for drinks.”
    The guy shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Um, well, I’m not sure…”
    The door opened and Mia emerged wearing a low-cut black dress and high heels that showed off her fit body and defined calf muscles. Michael popped to his feet immediately, pulling Jason with him. “Stand when a lady enters,” he whispered under his breath. “Mia is a lady, Jason. My lady.” He knew it was the verbal equivalent of pissing on a tree to mark his territory, but with a guy like Jason, sometimes pissing on a tree was the best tactic.
    “You look amazing as always,” Michael said approaching her. The only thing that revealed she was on edge was the widening of her eyes as he got closer. “Truly amazing.” And with that, he pulled her into his arms, mindful to angle their position properly for their stunned