You’re Still The One by Erika Kelly

Chapter Six

Hurt creasedthe skin around her eyes and tightened that lush mouth.

“Come on. You know I don’t mean it like that. You’ve always been my weakness.” He stared at his own reflection in the window. “And even after all this time…after everything that’s happened between us…let’s just say my mind and my body aren’t on the same page.”

“What does that mean?”

He shrugged. “We’ve always had chemistry.”

“Okay, you can be angry with me, and you can be done with me, but you’re not going to reduce what we had to ‘chemistry.’ If you’re going to stand here and tell me you don’t feel this connection between us, then you’re lying. Even when we’re doing nothing more than talking about who’s going to pick up Austin, we have this insane energy. We like each other.”

He shoved a hand deep into his pocket. “No, you’re right.” It came out more a mumble.

“Excuse me?” She cupped an ear. “I don’t think I heard you.”

He chuckled. “I’m agreeing with you. It’s more than chemistry.”

Hope lit her from within until she glowed. “It’s been seven years, Griff. We’ve both grown up. I’m not the same girl that kissed Trace.”

He lifted her ring finger and gave her a challenging look.

She shook her head, disappointed. “Fine. I’m not asking you to date me, but you could at least let us be friends again.”

Anger spread like a flash fire across his skin, and he leaned in close. “I’ve kissed you so deep we lost the line between your body and mine. I’ve seen you come so hard you nearly passed out.”

Her hand trembled, and heat radiated off her body.

“I know you read Lulu’s diary the summer she went to Idaho Falls for a cooking class, and I know you didn’t pay for the ice cream cone you got at Bliss when they were crowded and forgot to charge you. I hold all your secrets in my heart. But sure, Stella, let’s be pals.” He dropped her hand and focused on the sea of trampolines. He needed a minute to pull himself together.

Friends?Why was he so worked up over this?

He’d had seven years to wrap his head around the fact that she’d married another man. She’d moved on a hell of a long time ago.

But to hear her say she’s good just being buddies? Fuck, that ground his heart into a fine powder.

He could feel her gaze on him, but he wasn’t ready to look at her.

Finally, she turned her attention to the gym. Touching a hand to the glass, she said, “Oh, wow. Look at this place.”

Blue foam pads dotted the long, rectangular gym. Coaches in red golf shirts and navy blue training shorts worked in small groups.

He had to get over it. It was nothing but old history. I’m here to see Austin. He scanned the gym until he found him, then tipped his chin toward the far left. “There he is.”

Stella’s eyes went wide with recognition. “That’s Austin?”

“Yep.” As angry as he got with her, he’d never deny her the praise she deserved. “You did that.”

She let out a rush of breath that sounded like, “Oh.” Her cheeks pinkened. “I can’t believe it.”

Generally, Austin wore baggy jeans and hoodies, so his shorts and T-shirt revealed a lean, long body. He bounced easily, comfortably, each time going higher and higher, and then Will Bowie, a former Olympic athlete, called something out to him. Austin listened with a solemn expression. Then, he nodded before executing a series of flips.

“Oh, my God. Look at him. How is this possible?” She tugged on his sleeve. “He’s so good.”

Yeah, he saw, but he was so worked up with a heady mix of gratitude and relief that he couldn’t put words together.

She noticed. Of course, she did. She turned towards him, tugging his T-shirt. “Hey, are you all right?”

He nodded. “I’ve never seen him do anything like that.” He cleared his throat. “Let’s get out of here. I don’t want him to see us watching him.” I don’t want him to shut down again.

“No, he should see us. No more hiding for this kid. He’s got more confidence than we knew. Come on. Let’s tell him how awesome he is.” She sat down on a bench to take off her high heeled boots. Shoving them into her tote, she got up and headed down the stairs.

Damn, she was something. He’d known Austin for years, had watched him turn from a quiet, watchful little boy into a broody teenager who kept his mouth shut.

I’ve never seen him likethis.

He held the door open for her, and she strode right into the gym. The place was loud, with every trampoline in use. As they walked the perimeter, heads turned to watch the gorgeous woman stride by. Half the athletes were too intimidated to return her friendly wave. She walked with ease and grace, smiling at everyone as if they’d grown up together.

Stella was magic. All she had to do was walk by, and people bloomed.

As they neared, they watched Austin execute a few more flips. Griffin stopped beside Will. “Hey, man.”

“Griffin.” Will shook his hand. “Good to see. How’s it going?”

“Good.”

Will turned back to the boy. “Straighten your legs.”

“He’s never shown an interest in sports before. I expected to find him sitting on the floor playing a game on his phone.” Griffin shook his head in awe. “How’d you get him to do this?”

Will never took his eyes off Austin. “See, that’s the thing. A lot of kids show up expecting to be experts from the get-go. Or they’re here because their parents are trying to turn them into champions. But this one? He’s got fire in his belly.”

Right then, Austin landed awkwardly, wobbled, arms waving like pinwheels before he landed in a sprawl. Griffin froze, worried the boy would be embarrassed and quit. Not all the kids at the training center went to Calamity High, but some did. Fourteen was a rough age.

But Austin surprised him. Pushing to his feet, he stepped off the trampoline and said, “Can I try it again?”

Will checked his watch. “I think we’re done for today, but if you want to continue working with me, talk to Griffin and let me know what you guys decide.”

“Decide about what?” Griffin couldn’t miss the look that passed between Will and Stella. “What’s going on?”

Austin stood there, anxious, worried, almost like he was asking for permission. Can I do this?Please say yes. Hard to tell with him, but the vulnerability, the need, made Griffin’s heart go all tender and soft. “I thought you were going to work with a trainer to get in shape, but…are you talking about learning how to ski?”

“Snowboarding. There’s a class, and I want to take it.” And then Austin’s voice lowered. “Will said I should see if I liked it first. And I do.”

Griffin’s heart swelled so big he thought it might pop. To see this kid so invested in something? He gestured to the trampoline. “You did great, man.” Damn, he had so much affection for this kid. And then it built so big he couldn’t take it anymore. He pulled Austin into his arms. The boy was sweaty, hot, and breathing hard, but he let Griffin hug him. “I’m really proud of you.” He might’ve squeezed a little too hard.

Stella turned to Will. “So, what do you think? Do we have a future gold medalist on our hands?”

“Kid’s a natural.” Will said it firmly, seriously. “He’s got good balance, great athleticism. He just needs to develop his muscles.”

Keeping an arm slung around Austin’s shoulders, Griffin joined them. Once again, with this woman, he was caught between wanting to kiss her for making this happen and throttle her for not talking to him first. How had they gone from cardio and weights to snowboarding in the very first session?

Will must’ve picked up on the tension. “Why don’t you grab your stuff?” he asked the boy.

Austin headed off to a row of benches overflowing with backpacks and gym bags.

“So, is this cool?” Will asked.

“I feel like I’m a few steps behind.” Griffin looked to Stella.

She seemed to hover between apologetic and wanting to explode with excitement. “I ran into Will when I was on the tour. He said he’d hang out with Austin after his session, talk to him about the kinds of classes they offer here.”

“He seems excited about boarding,” Will said. “I’d be happy to spend some time with him if that’s okay with you.”

How could he argue with that? “I appreciate it. He’d be damn lucky to train with you but let me run it by his grandparents. Make sure they’re good with it.”

“They’re not in charge of me.” Austin never stood up for himself, so his wavery tone didn’t match the words. “You are.”

“I know, buddy. I just don’t want to stir anything up. Let me talk to your dad.”

“I haven’t heard from him in three days.”

Fuck. Normally, Peyton checked in every day. The fact that he hadn’t meant communication had been shut down on the COP. Griffin had tried bringing it up, but Austin had shrugged it off like it was no big deal.

Of course, it’s a big deal. He’d have to do a better job of checking in with the boy. “We’ll talk about it. Hey, thanks a lot, Will.”

“You got it.” Will shook their hands and headed off.

Griffin clapped a hand on Austin’s shoulder to get him going, but he stood firm. “The winter session already started, but Will said I could join, and he’ll give me private lessons until I catch up. And he’s not even the teacher. He’s a freestyle skier. He’s doing it for me.”

“I don’t want to say no to the opportunity to train with a gold medalist, but you know how it goes. I have to manage your grandparents, so they don’t stir things up. Let me pass it by your dad first.”

“No, you said yourself we might not hear from him for a while. And it’s not like I’m jumping out of helicopters and boarding down glaciers. It’s a beginner class.”

“You’re right.” Fucking Pilsons. They had him working too hard to stay under the radar.

“I want to do this.” As tough as he wanted to sound, Austin’s tone held a plea.

And Griffin knew there was no way he’d crush this first show of independence. “Okay, I can see how much it means to you. It’s still contingent on your dad’s approval, but until we hear otherwise, let’s do this.”

Austin’s chest expanded, but he didn’t say a word. Just grabbed sweatpants out of his backpack and pulled them on over his shorts.

Stella leaned into Griffin. “I swear I was going to talk to you about it first, but when I was talking to Will, he threw out the suggestion, and it seemed like such a great opportunity. I didn’t think it would hurt to at least let Austin meet with the guy, you know?”

Griffin opened the door, and Austin walked out. Stella lingered, one hand on his chest. “I had no idea he’d offer private lessons or that Austin would like it so much. I mean, I’m sorry—wait, what am I saying? I’m not sorry at all. Did you see him on that trampoline?”

The heat of her hand warmed his heart, and he wanted to kiss the smugness right out of her, until she turned all soft and pliant in his arms, until her body and heart opened to him.

The way his heart always did for her.

Austin stopped on the pathway. “Are we going?”

With twilight settling over the valley, the air had turned frigid. As they stomped across snow drifts to get to the parking lot, Griffin reached for Stella’s arm to stop her. “Half of me wants to make you walk home for shaking up our lives like this.” She really had no idea the threat the Pilsons posed.

Their mouths were a breath away. Her eyes went sultry, smokey, and she licked her lips. “What does the other half want to do to me? Because that’s the only half I’m interested in.”

Jesus, this woman.

After getting home, Griffin changed into pajama bottoms and a long-sleeve Boneyard T-shirt. He came into the kitchen to wash his hands. “What do you want for dinner?”

“Stella’s making chicken enchiladas.”

He smacked the faucet off and snatched a towel from the counter to dry his hands. “She’s coming back here?”

Austin didn’t even look up from his homework. “No, she’s going to make them at an undisclosed location, and our mission is to find them.”

“Wait, did you just make a joke?”

The corner of Austin’s mouth lifted.

Well, look at that.Happiness soared through him. This is a first. “Tell her we’re fine. I’m ordering a pizza.” Griffin reached for the phone.

“I don’t want pizza. I want enchiladas.”

Oh, now he finds his voice?“Well, it’s late, and I’m hungry.” And I don’t want Stella here.

“She said it’s easy and quick.”

“Text her and say we’ll do it another night.” He pulled the flyer out of a drawer and punched in the number.

“Hole in the Wall Pizza Joint,” the guy said. “How can I help you?”

“Hey, yeah, can I get an extra-large—”

“Knock, knock, open up.” Stella’s voice came from outside.

Getting up so fast he practically knocked his chair back, Austin raced to the door and let her in. Cold air blew into the small cottage, but Griffin barely noticed. He was lost in that brilliant smile and those sparkling eyes.

“These enchiladas are so good.” She breezed right into the kitchen. “You’re going to love them.”

“Sir?” the guy asked.

“Yeah, sorry,” Griffin said. “Never mind. Got our signals crossed. Sorry about that.”

“No problem.” The man disconnected.

Tossing his phone on the counter, Griffin stepped aside as Stella and Austin started unpacking her canvas tote bags.

“Can you turn the oven on to three-fifty?” she called over her shoulder.

How did her presence change everything? This place so beige and flat, flashed into Technicolor. Every atom was charged and vibrating.

And it had to stop. “I was going to order a pizza.”

“Well, lucky you. You get a homemade meal instead.” She tipped her chin to the oven. “Preheat.”

He tried to hold onto his irritation, but he actually really wanted enchiladas. So, he did as she asked and then grabbed himself a beer. Twisting the cap, he leaned back against the counter, watching the two of them in motion. Austin opened a can of sauce, while Stella heated a skillet and stacked the tortillas on a plate next to the stove.

“You like olives in it?” she asked.

“I don’t care.” As morose as Austin sounded, he took his job of spreading the sauce around the baking pan seriously.

“That’s not much of an answer,” she said. “I can add olives or leave them out. All I need is to know if you like them or not.”

“I’ve never had one.”

“Well, then.” She thrust a can of olives at Griffin. “Can you please open this?”

Reluctantly, he set his beer down and pulled the can opener out of a drawer. Once he’d pried the top off, he dipped his fingers in and popped an olive into his mouth before handing it back to her. Their fingertips brushed, and her gaze flicked up to him.

For all her breezy flair, he caught a hint of Is this all right? in her expression.

He wanted to say hell, no, but it was hard to stay annoyed when anyone could see how Austin came to life around her.

Also, it was good for the boy to have a homecooked meal.

And, you know, for him to learn how to cook.

Ah, fuck it. He had to face that he liked her in his kitchen. Liked playing happy fucking family.

I’m a sucker for this woman, okay?

“Woo.” She fanned her face. “It’s hot in here.”

“Thermostat’s set at sixty-eight.”

“Yeah, well, these cabins are small, and with more than one or two people, they get overheated fast.”

“I’ll lower it.” He took the excuse to get away from her and hightailed it into the main room.

“No, it’s all right. I’ll take off twelve of my sixteen layers.” She rinsed her fingers in the sink and then shrugged off the cropped cardigan sweater, tossing it onto the back of a chair.

He’d hoped she’d leave it at that. The blouse underneath was loose-fitting enough to only hint at the curves he knew so well.

The memory hit strong and hard, the feel of her plump breasts in his hands.

Fuck me.

Desire burned hot, rousing a deep, aching hunger, and when she reached for the top button of her silky shirt, he wanted to shout, Stop. I’ll turn off the heat. Just keep your damn clothes on.

Too late, she’d pulled it off. As it went winging past him to land on the table, he got a whiff of her scent.

It filled his senses, driving him right back into the heart of them.

Alone in this cottage, so easy with each other, so…joyful. Always wanting her.

He’d never gotten his fill, no matter how times he’d kissed her, stroked her, licked her, tasted her…fucked her.

This isn’t going to work.

He needed her gone. Striding back to the counter where he’d left his beer, he clapped his hands together. “What can I do?” He’d hurry her along, get her out of here.

“Can you make a salad? I brought all kinds of veggies for it.”

“Sure.” They needed boundaries. They could pretend to be engaged in front of other people but not here in the privacy of his own home.

“Okay, so now let’s pull the chicken off the bone and use a fork to shred it.” She pulled the lid off the rotisserie chicken, the scent filling the small kitchen.

Austin took the fork from her and peeled back the skin.

“Have you ever cooked before?” she asked.

“No. I mean, I can make cereal or a sandwich or whatever. But not something like this.”

As the two of them talked quietly, Stella’s laughter entered his bloodstream, making him go weak. Opening a bag of mixed greens, he dumped matchstick carrots into the salad bowl and called it done. He had to get out of there. “I’m going to the store. Need anything?”

“Well, hang on. Let me get this in the oven, and I’ll come with you. I need food for breakfast. I’ve got to start making a point of eating, otherwise, the day just gets away from me.”

Griffin froze with one arm in his jacket. “You’re not eating?”

“Not really. I haven’t caught my groove here. In Dallas, the team had a cafeteria and a gym. It was pretty cushy. Of course, in New York, I didn’t have anything like that, but I walked a ton, and there’re food vendors on every street, so I could always grab something.”

“You have to eat. That’s ridiculous.”

“I’ll get some protein bars, stick them in my purse.”

“Get a mini fridge. You can stock it with sandwiches and cheese, fruit salad…stuff like that.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll talk to Diane about that.”

He headed for the door. “Just tell me what you want. I’ll pick it up for you.”

“Wait. Give me five minutes to get this in the oven. I want to go with you.”

Yeah? Well, I don’t want you in my truck.

I need fucking space.

But he’d never tell her that. Cursing his luck, he lowered his head and blew out a breath. Of all the ways for her to come home, of all the jobs she could’ve taken…somehow their paths had crossed in a way that tangled them up.

And he had to admit he wanted it as much as he hated it.

“Now, let’s pour the rest of the sauce all over the enchiladas. I saved this bag of cheese for when it’s done. We’ll dump the whole thing over it ten minutes before we take it of the oven.” She washed her hands. “Okay, you work on your homework, and when I get back, we’ll tackle that algebra.”

Moments later, they were locking the door and trudging through the snow to his truck. When her feet nearly flew out from under her, she let out a cry, but she caught herself on the hood.

“Why don’t you get some winter boots?”

“Do you have any idea how crazy this job is? I’m slammed at work.”

“And yet you had time to drive all the way out to the training center and hook Austin up with Will Bowie?”

“Priorities.” She said in a sing-songy voice.

Chuckling, he slammed his door and cranked the engine.

She got in beside him. “Why are you not excited about this class? How many kids get Will Bowie for a coach?” She buckled up. “You saw how happy it made him.”

“It’s not about me. It’s about his grandparents, not giving them a reason to take him from me.”

She went quiet for a moment, thoughtful. “The judge still sees you as that eighteen-year-old boy.”

“He sure as hell does.” And that’s why I’ve got to prove myself to him.

“I heard him. He thinks you haven’t changed.”

“Exactly. He’s convinced I’ll be reckless with Austin.”

“This is a beginner class, though. He’s not going to be riding black diamond trails.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Of course not, but you can’t keep Austin locked up for eight months because you’re worried about Judge Pilson’s opinion of you.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Austin with me. If he breaks a leg snowboarding, that’s when the Pilsons will show up and start flexing. And you saw how far they’re willing to go.”

“I did. That was horrifying.” She cut him a look. “I guess I was thinking since it’s a beginner class, how could anyone object?” She shook her head. “No, I wasn’t thinking that at all. Will made an offer, and I was so excited I just grabbed it.”

“I know. I get that. And as long as you keep his grandparents in the back of your mind, I think it’s great that you care about him. The way he stood up for himself in the gym? That’s a first. And getting him to help with dinner? He’s never done that before, either. Most nights, I have to pry the controller out of his hands. So, you’ve been great. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying.”

“If he broke his leg hotwiring a car and crashing into a tree, I could see them taking him away from you. But would they really do it if it happens while he’s taking a snowboarding class?”

“It’s not so much about the broken leg. It’s the incident that proves I’m neglectful. But all these worries disappear when I know I can call Peyton, and he’ll handle them. When he’s out of touch? I’m screwed.”

“That’s not really fair. He should’ve taken care of this situation before he left.”

“It was a last-minute decision, but he’s working on it. He’s waiting to meet with an attorney. Until then—”

“I know. One court order, and Austin’s living with them.”

“Right. My choices for their grandson don’t hold up against their legal rights as blood relatives.”

She reached over and folded her hand over his. “I’m sorry. I’m making everything more complicated for you.”

“You are, but you’re also making things better for Austin. And that’s my highest priority.”

The impulse to turn his hand over and thread his fingers with hers was the most natural thing in the world. But then he got hit with an image from her old Splashagram page.

Hands, one large and hairy, the other feminine, both sporting wedding rings.

And he just couldn’t go there.

“Are you worried about Peyton?” she asked.

“Sure. He warned me this would happen, so I’ve half-expected it. But now that it’s here, I just…”

“You’re walking a tightrope.”

“Yep.”

“What are they like?”

“You mean you didn’t get enough from hearing them the other day?”

She gave him a bittersweet grin. “Oh, I got more than enough. But what’re they like with Austin?”

“They’re strict and demanding. They think if they can control what he does, what he’s exposed to, then he’ll turn out to be a respectable man. Best example I can give you is his guitar. He’s always loved music, so right before Peyton went on his first deployment, he gave Austin his guitar. Man, he loved that thing. Played it all the time…until the judge took it from him.” He fingers tightened on the wheel. “Austin found it in a closet and started playing it when they weren’t home, but I guess they came back early.” It was the first and only time Griffin had ever seen the boy cry.

Shit. Fuck.

“What? I can tell from your expression something awful happened.”

“The judge drove over it.”

She sat forward. “He what? Why would he do that?”

“To make his point.”

“You know, yesterday on the way home from work, I apologized for putting him in a position to lie, and he told me he does it all the time. Now, I know what he means.” She tugged the fringe on her scarf. “Can I ask about the elephant in the room? Their daughter?”

As he pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store, she put her hand on his thigh. “I don’t actually need anything.”

“Neither do I.” He shifted into Park and settled back in his seat, the leather creaking. “I just needed…”

“Just say it. Stop being so careful with me.” She smiled softly. “That’s what made us so strong. We didn’t hold back. We said what we felt in the moment, and we dealt with it.”

She was right about that. Though it was more her than him. Stella held nothing back.

“Everyone’s so careful,” she said. “We don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, but it’s the honesty that breaks down walls. It’s what makes people get closer to each other. I loved that about us.” And then she said quietly, “I loved the way you loved me.”

I’m sure you did.

He could feel her watching him, could feel her need for more. He might not be looking to bring them closer, but she deserved the truth. “I liked how you loved me, too.” At the time, anyway. “You give everything you’ve got…and that’s a hell of a lot.”

And he was sure her ex-husband felt the same way.

“In any event, you wanted to know about Austin’s mom…” They might as well go back home. Checking the mirrors, he headed out of the lot. “Peyton’s four years older than me, so I didn’t know him in school. He’s Mack’s son—you remember the guy who owned the bike shop?”

She nodded. Of course, she remembered. How many times had Mack cuffed Griffin on the back of his head because he was talking to his girlfriend instead of working?

“He didn’t work in the shop because he was pretty much a pothead, but then he got his high school girlfriend pregnant.”

“Wrong girl to knock up.”

“Right? But they didn’t find out until Mindy was pretty far along. In fact, it was her mom who figured it out—she recognized the symptoms. She wasn’t ready to be a parent, so she’d planned on putting Austin up for adoption. At first, Peyton was okay with that. If you ask him now, he’d tell you he was high most of the time, so it never really sank in. But then they got in a car accident—nothing serious—and it changed him. He said it only became real when he thought they might’ve lost the baby. And that made him realize he was already a dad—whether he was ready or not. So, she signed away her parental rights, and he got his shit together. He didn’t have any real hope of a career, so he joined the Army. Figured it would give him skills and direction.”

“Well, I have to admire him for that. Where’s Mindy now? Does she ever see him?”

“No, her parents gave her a rash of shit for signing away her rights.”

“I’m sure. They both ran on family values platforms. That’s their whole thing. If you lead clean, family-focused lives, society’s problems will go away.”

“Exactly. So, they cut her off, thinking it would scare her into falling in line, but instead she left and never came back. She lives in Wisconsin now, and she doesn’t keep in touch with anyone.”

“You mean, she doesn’t even ask about Austin?” Stella sounded horrified.

He shook his head because if he opened his mouth, he’d go on a tear. He didn’t know anything about Mindy, but he couldn’t stand the idea that Austin lived with the fact that his own mother didn’t want anything to do with him. The sense of rejection he must feel, the blow to his sense of worth…it killed Griffin.

“That must be so hard for him.”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t talk about it, and I don’t ask. I see my role as Austin’s soft place to fall. I want to make the next eight months as good for him as I can.”

She caressed his arm. “That’s really sweet, Griffin. I just worry you take on too much.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ve always been the protector. Well, I guess that’s why Peyton chose you to watch his son. You’ve always had this huge sense of responsibility for everyone.”

“Well, I’m the oldest of seven.”

“No, I think it’s because of what happened that night.”

Ten years later, and everyone still referred to it the same way. That night.

The night that five stupid kids—all on the cusp of greatness—had blown up their lives. Griffin had been with them, but he hadn’t been an elite hockey player on track to play in the NHL. He hadn’t gotten hurt.

Had that night changed him? You bet your ass. He’d stopped being reckless and wild. But none of that had anything to do with his current situation. “Austin’s a complicated kid. I don’t want to fail him.”

“You could never fail anyone. You care too much. It’s one of your best qualities, but you can’t keep him locked up in your hotel room while his dad’s gone. You have an opportunity here to help him grow. I think you should take it.”

“You know I probably will.”

“I do know.” She smiled. “You just have to weigh things first. Look at it from all angles.” The smile died. “The opposite from me.”

“I don’t know that we’re opposites.” He cut her a look. “I think we’re two sides of the same coin. We both get invested in the people we care about. We just have different ways of handling it. Where I think things through, and you’re intuitive. You pay attention to what people don’t say, and then you give them the things they didn’t even know they needed.”

“I want to think that’s a compliment, but because you look at me like I’m the neighbor who lets her dog poop on your lawn—I’m looking for the insult.”

“No insult.” He gave it some thought. “Is there a part of you that wants to be liked? Needed? Yeah. But it’s not a bad thing. There’s not a bad bone in your body.”

“Well, thank you.” Then, in the softest, most vulnerable voice, she said, “If that’s true, why do you look at me like you want me gone? Why do you talk to me like you can barely tolerate my presence?”

Ah, Christ. If they weren’t pretending to be engaged, he might’ve avoided this conversation for the rest of his life.

But they were.

And he couldn’t, so...

“I guess we’re doing this.”