“Yes, I am,” I eventually say, sipping what’s left of my coffee.
“Boyfriend?”
“I’m not sure yet. But he did pretty much screw that potential yesterday.”
“Do I need to look into him for you?”
My head whips sideways, a laugh coming out of me. “Are you the Broderick personal service now?”
“I’m sure your brother would be interested to know. You wouldn’t be the only Broderick woman I’ve checked up on.”
I sigh. “Persephone.”
He nods and stands, almost smiling for the first time since we’ve met. Quite handsome really. Unusually so. Too dark and torrid looking for me, but something makes me damn sure he’s not short of women who fawn over him.
“You know how to get hold of me,” he says quietly.
Blake arrives in our proximity at the same time as Locke puts his hands in his pockets and looks as unapproachable as he first did. They stare at each other for a few seconds, barely any sense of friendly going on. It isn’t until I make a move to stand that Blake looks at me, his face and his features nowhere near as relaxed as I’m used to. Tough. Relaxed isn’t on the radar with the two of us yet, and if seeing me with another man is pissing him off, then I can’t say I’m unhappy about that.
“I’ll need an email address,” I say to Locke, ignoring Blake’s continued stare.
“I’ll get it to you this afternoon.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I look around, unsure what’s next or if I need anything else from him at the moment. “And I’ll need another meeting soon. Once you’ve gone over everything? We can get down to the grit if we work together on it.”
“Can do.”
He frowns at Blake one more time, not even bothering with a goodbye to me or nice to meet you to him. Again, not surprising given the conversation we’ve just had, but Jesus Christ, does anyone have any manners?
Chapter Thirteen
BLAKE
Who is this jackass?
And why is Ivy with him talking about meeting up?
I can feel the tightness of my jaw as I think about her with him. It’s a fucking disconcerting feeling—this possessive rush through me. Hell, it’s not usual at all, and after our fight, I sure as shit shouldn't be coming in here with angry demands and accusations, but that’s what I felt like doing. I want to run my mouth and tell this guy to get lost.
I rein in the green-eyed monster and think about the bigger picture. Ivy and I haven’t even discussed anything past a couple of dates, and I have no right to demand her not to see anyone. Yet, that’s what I want to say. She’s got to me in a way I don’t want to admit, and seeing her with another guy has pushed that right into my face.
The shoulder-to-shoulder contact he instigates pisses me off, but I make sure I don’t give a fucking inch when the guy eventually walks away. And I do watch him disappear out of the place, just to make sure I don't need to do damage, before swinging my gaze to Ivy.
“Who was that?”
Her gaze comes back to mine after following Mr Fucking Mystery out of the area.
“Why?” she says.
“What?”
“Why is it relevant to you who he is?”
“Ivy, come on. Drop the attitude, will you? I’ve said I’m sorry.”
She looks more pissed than ever at my response. “I thought you came here to apologise,” she says, her eyes boring into mine. Well, that just evens things up.
“I didn’t realise you’d have company.”
