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counted them. There had to be two dozen. How the heck was she supposed to carry these with the heavy vase they came in and her briefcase? Leaving them where they were wasn’t an option because Stephanie would not be the only person all in her business. Even Bob was likely to ask. Should she admit to seeing Santi? She didn’t want to, not yet anyway. There was no guarantee just because he sent flowers they would see each other again.
    At the end of the day, she stood corrected. Tired and cranky, Della prepared to leave. She shut down her computer and searched under her desk for the shoe that had gotten away from her. When she straightened, two men stepped off the elevator, and both smiled in her direction. Her mouth fell open, and she imagined she heard the female purrs as the two of them headed her way.
    Oh hell no. This isn’t happening.
    Brent and Santi stopped at her desk at the same time and then glanced at each other. Santi dismissed Brent as quickly as he acknowledged him with a nod and a smile. Then he reached a hand out to Della. “ Cariño, I am here. Are you ready?”
    “I don’t recall us setting anything up,” she said.
    Brent stepped forward. “Hey, Della, I thought we’d grab a pizza. You said you have that test on Monday. I can help you study.”
    “Um.” She blinked between them. Her body strained toward Santi, but it was true. She did have a test and was so not prepared. If she didn’t do well, her grade might slip, and that wasn’t an option.
    Still, somehow her hand ended up in Santi’s palm, and he kissed her fingertips. She had to admit it had been nearly a week since they’d made love. Della stood. “Brent, this is Santi. Santi, this is my friend, Brent.”
    “Friend?” Brent repeated, his forehead creasing in annoyance, but he stuck his hand out.
    “Good to meet a friend of Della’s,” Santi boomed. He grabbed Brent by both shoulders and drew him close to kiss first one cheek and then the other. Brent tore himself loose and scrubbed the back of a hand over his face.
    Della choked back a laugh. “Sorry, Brent, that’s their way. He didn’t mean anything by it.”
    Santi apologized. “I forget you are not the same here. The men of my country are very secure in their manhood even if they are gay.”
    Brent’s face went beet red. “I’m not gay, and I’m plenty confident in my manhood!”
    This time Della had to crack up. She held her stomach, and pressed a hand to her mouth. Tears formed in her eyes, and she wiped them away. Insult seemed to ooze from Brent’s pores. He glared at her, and she patted his arm.
    “I’m sorry, Brent. I shouldn’t have laughed. Of course Santi isn’t saying you’re gay. The difference in culture takes some getting used to.”
    “You’re saying you’re used to it?” he demanded. “You introduced me as a friend, but what is he ?”
    “Her lover of course,” Santi chimed in.
    Gasps rose all around the floor, giving Della payback for laughing at Brent. She’d never hear the end of it.
    “Wait, the flowers were from him ?” Stephanie appeared out of nowhere. “Della, you knew I—” She broke off what she’d been about to say, and her fair skin reddened as much as Brent’s had.
    “Stephanie, it’s not like that.” Della felt no compulsion to tell the woman that when she shared her interest in Santi, the man was already calling Della on the phone and making propositions.
    “Beautiful Stephanie,” Santi said, “this isn’t the place for such a conversation. No?”
    Stephanie pinked more and folded her arms beneath her chest, but she clamped her lips together.
    “He’s getting fresh with her right in your face, Della!” Brent reached between the two to grab Della’s wrist and dragged her to him. She pulled at his hold, but he tightened it.
    “Ouch, Brent. Stop.”
    In an instant, Santi had her freed, and he stood between her and Brent. “You never treat a woman that way. She called you friend, and you hurt her? Back down,