Theyhadn't been loyal, and look howthathad turned out.
But Lexie – she'd been loyal to a fault, which was why until now, I'd refused to consider that her loyalty might be an employer-only type of thing.
But now?
Oh, yeah.I was considering it, alright.
It was time to lay my cards on the table. "Look, just tell me. Are you seeing someone else?"
Chapter 19
Lexie
What kind of question was that?I stared up at him. "Excuse me?"
His gaze locked on mine. "It's a simple question, Lexie."
"It is not," I said. "It's an accusation. And besides, we never said anything about being exclusive."
He gave a soft curse. It was barely a whisper, but even inthisweather, it packed a wallop – like a snowball to the face.
Way too late, it occurred to me that I had probably just given him the wrong impression. Quickly, I added, "But to answer your question, no, I'm not seeing anyone else."
He gave me a skeptical look. "Is that so?"
"Yes. And actually, I'm a little surprised that you'd ask."
His jaw clenched. "Even though we're 'not exclusive?'"
I didn't like his tone. "If I were seeing someone, I would've mentioned it. I mean, that's a pretty important detail, don't you think?"
His gaze darkened. "It is to me. Howyousee things, I can't say."
"But I justtoldyou how I see things. Do you really think I'd be kissingyouwhen I've got somebody else?"
Of course, we weren't kissing now.In spite of everything, I missed it – the feel of his lips, the taste of his tongue, the sensation of his hands sifting through my hair.
He was an amazing kisser, which naturally made me wonder how amazing he would be at other things.I could only imagine.In fact, Ihadbeen imagining more than I cared to admit.
Even now, as he stared down at me, I felt my pulse quicken and my breath give a traitorous little hitch.
Why was I so attracted to this guy when Iknewhe was heartless?
Plus, he thought I was a cheater.When his only reply was a noncommittal shrug, I felt my temper rise to the surface. "What kind of person do you think I am, anyway?"
His only reply was a quiet scoff.
With a scoff of my own, I demanded, "What doesthatmean?"
He looked past me as if eager to move along. "So, do you wanna start walking? Or should I drive you?"
I whirled to look in the general direction of the candy store. As my snow-covered hair lashed against my face, I marveled at the fact that only an hour had passed since Cole had greeted me on this same stretch of sidewalk.
Sixty minutes.This wasn't a long time. And yet, everything felt different now, as if the time should be measured in days or weeks instead.
I was still staring off toward the candy store. From here, I couldn’t see it. And even if I could through the distance and swirling snow, I wouldn't relish the thought of walking a dozen blocks to reach my car.
The trip had been unpleasant enough the first time around. Now, between the weather and my growing anger, the return trip would be twice as unpleasant, especially if Cole insisted on coming with me.
