“I didn’t mean you couldn’t. But you can never be too careful with guys like that.”
Her eyes shoot invisible daggers into my soul. “Becauseyou’dnever take advantage of a situation.”
Okay. She got me. “I wasn’t trying to take advantage of the situation; I honestly wanted to help you.”
“Really?” She tugs at a strand of hair. “You hadnoulterior motives?”
I can think of about fifty. I clamp my lips together.
“That’s what I thought.”
Dang it, Sean. This ishis fault.
“Wait.” I scratch my upper arm. She stops, and for the first time tonight, I really focus on her. Her bright green eyes appear bigger behind her wide-rimmed glasses, and it somehow only adds to her appeal. But there’s something else written in those irises, a hint of pain I can only pray I didn’t put there. And if that other guy did, I want to strangle him. “I…” Words fail me.
“Thanks for validating my reason to quit.” She turns away.
“Quit what?”
I can’t see her face, but I swear I hear her say “love.”
I’m at a complete loss. I didn’t think love was something you could simply choose not to feel. But then again, I’ve never had to worry about that, so what do I know?
“I’m sorry,” I say to her back, but she doesn’t stop and walks right out the door.
I narrow my eyes at the empty doorway and slump into my chair. I’m losing my edge. I can’t believe I skipped working overtime forthis. Why did I let Sean hound me into coming out tonight?Come out with me,he said,you work too hard.Have some fun for once.
I can’t believe I almost missed out on all thisfun.
“I’m not the best lip reader.” Sean appears in front of me like a pesky cat that doesn’t know when to leave me alone. “But I’m pretty sure she said something like 'You’re a tool and get lost.’”
He’s notentirelywrong.
“That’s not what she said.”
“Really? Because you only itch your arm like that when a girl rejects you.” Sean smirks.
I drop my hand from my arm. I hate that he is so perceptive.
“Time to pay up.” He holds out his hand. “I’m suddenly very hungry.”
I roll my eyes but toss over my card, anyway. “Only use fifty this time,” I warn him.
Sean shoots me a grin I know not to trust and heads for the bar.
I remain where I am, still wondering where I went wrong.
I should have stayed at work.
The Repercussion
Present Day
Chapter 3
Juliet
My. Brain. Hurts.
