“I’m not interestedinher.”
“And I’m not interestedinyou.”
Quiet.
“Funny. I don’tbelievethat.”
“I see you still have abigego.”
“It’s not ego. It’s thetruth.”
“I don’t want to talk about thisanymore.”
“Whynot?”
“Why not?” She let out a humorless laugh. “What do you want to talk about?Youleft.”
“I didn’twantto.”
“If you didn’t want to, then why did you?” She only gave him a second to respond before she launched into her own explanation. “You left because you wanted to. I was just another notch onyourbelt.”
“That’snottrue.”
“Yes, it is. Let’s not make what happened into more than it was. We had fun. Isn’t that what you said? It’s over. It’s done. Two young people happened to be in Venice at the same time and hooked up. It’s one of those stories you tell about your wild younger days, but it’s just a story. So do me a favor, Reed. Stop talking about it. I did what you asked. I forgotaboutyou.”
Dark color blazed across his cheekbones. “Fine. I’ll respect your wishes—fornow.”
It was unnerving how direct he was about his intentions. He headed back up thewalkway.
Anika took two steps after him. “What did you meanbythat?”
“Can’t wait to see those designs. Bye,Anika.”
“Reed, what did you meanbythat?”
He stopped at the stairs leading up to the porch. “Don’t go getting any ideas and asking your boss to get reassigned. I’d hate to share with Judge Evers that my experience with your design firm didn’t go as well as she thought it would. It might mean you don’t get any more referrals.” He paused long enough to let the words sink in. “Have a good afternoon.” He disappeared inside thehouse.
Anika stood there for a few minutes longer, her mouth hanging open in shock. He’d threatened her to ensure they continued working together. The gall. Theaudacity!
She marched around to the driver’s side and hopped into her car. Gripping the steering wheel and silently fuming, she drove away from the neighborhood, fast. So she could escape this new determined Reed, and the memories of their timetogether.
