“You’re exaggerating,” I argue.
“Am I? Rod, you have this invisible protective shield around her.”
“Oh, come off it.”
He flashes me an incredulous side stare.
“You make me sound like a caveman,” I say.
“The only time you weren’t able to hover over her like an eagle over its chicks is when your career hit big. Your frequent trips across the country and abroad prevented you from being your precious little Dom’s shadow. Thank God, she was living with Rory and Isobel by then so you didn’t have to worry too much. She was in good hands.”
“You’re taking pleasure in this?” I reproach.
He ignores me. “And now you kissed the untouchable girl.”
“You wanted me to open up and now you’re mocking me. Fuck off, Roark.”
“You mad at me or mad at yourself?”
I don’t answer immediately. “I’m pissed off at myself. Happy?”
“Was it bad?”
“No. That’s the problem. It was incredible. After kissing her, I wanted more. What the fuck is wrong with me?” I grumble in frustration.
“I don’t get it. Why are you so upset?” Roark asks.
“I shouldn’t have kissed Dom. But I wanted to kiss her so damn much. No,” I shake my head. “Ineededto kiss her.”
“So you went after what you wanted. What’s new?”
“Don’t you see it?”
“No.”
“I acted on impulse and now I’m petrified I might’ve ruined something precious. It may already be too late to salvage things between us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I got cold feet and I was so weirded out about the whole thing, I might’ve pushed her away.”
“Call her and tell her.”
“I’ve tried. Several times. She’s doing a pretty good job at ignoring me. Finally, after God knows how many attempts, she texted me back.”
“What did she say?”
“Please pretend I don’t exist, Rod.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly.”
“There’s something I don’t understand.”
“What?” I ask.
“If the kiss was so memorable, why push her away?”
