“I don’t think that’s true. I think you’re mad that we didn’t talk earlier, that you were blindsided just now.”
She shrugs her shoulders in a tight acknowledgement that I’m on the right track.
I take a deep breath. “Earlier today, your dad asked me if I needed money for an engagement ring. If that was why we aren’t married yet.”
She snorts. “And you decided not to tell me about that.”
“Yeah.”
That gets her full attention.
She jerks her head up and glares at me. “That’s some nerve, keeping something like that from me.”
“What would telling you have accomplished? It didn’t bother me that he asked. I told him we’re fine for money, and that was the end of that.”
“It gave him the idea—” She cuts herself off.
I raise my brows. “What, that we’re together?”
Her gaze sparks, a warm ember glowing suddenly very hot and very bright. I shouldn’t enjoy that as much as I do. The way it heats her up from the inside out, making her cheeks pink and her chest heave.
But it’s so close to how she looks when she’s turned on.
She even said as much, that she likes getting mad because it takes her to this space, where she shuts off her brain and just feels. And I really like making Rory feel things.
“Look, I get that this was my terrible idea, but you don’t need to dig us into an even deeper hole,” she says hotly.
“Ah.” I step closer, because this is a conversation that can’t carry up the stars. This is private. “You don’t want to give anyone the idea that I’m over the moon in love with you. Together, yes. Happy, no. That’s the status quo we need to maintain.”
“Exactly.” Her eyesblazenow.
“Because at some point soon we’re going to be very publicly over.”
Chapter 20
Rory
Why does Garrett have to put it like that? But he’s not wrong.
I swallow hard around the lump in my throat. “Yes.”
The corners of his mouth turn down.
I hate the traitorous hope in my chest. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m not.” His words are clipped, though.
“It’s not something we need to do this weekend.” I back up, my legs bumping into the shorter of the two couches down here. My couch.
All I can think is, I’m going to miss sleeping next to him.
I slept so well last night, damn it.
He turns and grabs his bag. “I’m going to get changed.”
I avert my gaze as he unbuckles his belt and peels off his jeans. Not completely, of course. I can still see his long, strong legs out of the corner of my eye.Hello, rugby thighs.
Theyaremore muscular than before.
