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“I highly doubt that.”
Fuck you, Trey. She’d think it but wouldn’t dare say it. While her neighborhood wouldn’t fall under the most desirable, it wasn’t that bad. It was affordable, with a few friendly neighbors who looked out for one another. Dahlia found herself taking a protective stance against his judgment.
She turned and muttered under her breath. “Snob.”
“Excuse me?”
Dahlia flattened her lips, ignored him, and walked up the short walkway and onto the porch.
He followed her up the stairs and watched as she pulled out a set of keys. She wasn’t looking at him, but she could feel his eyes and actually sense his closeness. Her hand shook slightly, making it difficult to get it steady enough for the lock. After two attempts, Trey stepped closer and took the keys from her. Dahlia stepped back, assuming he was going to open it for her. Trey fisted her keys, making no attempt to open her door.
“What, taking my job away wasn’t enough for you? Now you’re taking my keys? You want me to be homeless as well as jobless?”
The corner of his mouth spiked, making her all the more irritated and, oddly, turned on. Why do all gorgeous men have to be dicks?
“I offered you a job. Why did you turn down the position at the Bowery? As I recall, quite a few people spoke on your behalf to get you an interview. It’s a slap in the face to those who vouched for you.”
What? This was the last thing she needed tonight. But Trey didn’t seem like the type of man to accept being ignored. The quicker she answered him, the sooner he’d leave.
“I explained to Sloane…”
“I’m not talking about Sloane.” Trey paused. “Lil, Camille, and Ryder.”
Dahlia widened her eyes. What was he talking about? Had Lil, Cam, and Ryder spoken to Trey about giving her an interview? The idea tugged at her heart, and she swallowed the knot in her throat.
“They did?”
“Yes.”
Dahlia ducked her head and smiled. My people. They were few and far between, but she had them. Some were in the most unlikely places. But they were hers.
“Look, I appreciate everyone talking to you for me. And I will personally call each one of them tomorrow to thank them and explain the circumstances.”
“Which would be?”
“What?” Dahlia asked.
“What’s the circumstance?”
Oh shit! How could she explain it? Dahlia couldn’t.
“I just can’t, Trey.”
He clenched his jaw when she said his name. It seemed like an odd response, but she didn’t have much time to dwell on it when his gaze darkened, and his eyes narrowed.
“Why not?”
Her cheeks pinkened, and she licked her lips, glancing over at the street. Dahlia wasn’t fearful of confrontation. She’d had her fair share and rarely backed down from anyone unless she knew she was wrong. Aside from that being the case, Trey made her nervous. Her best defense would be none at all. Honesty would end this and probably mark the last time she’d see Trey.
“You were right for calling me out at the interview. I let my own insecurities dictate how I took everything you were saying. And what you were saying about the position was right. I’m not qualified. But um…” Dahlia bit her lip, trying to come up with a diplomatic answer and failed miserably. She sighed and grabbed her hips, staring down at the chipped paint on the wooden porch. “I was embarrassed. I’m not ashamed of my lifestyle or choices, but they come with consequences, and I’d like to think that others’ opinions don’t bother me, but—” This was the most honest she’d been with anyone in a long time.
“They do,” Trey said, finishing her sentence.
This was a moment. It was super brief, but she felt as though he saw her. Completely.
“Yeah,” she whispered. “And I never thought in a million years you’d hire me anyway. Nothing about me impressed you.”
Admitting faults to herself was hard enough, but admitting them to others, especially Trey, was beyond raw and gut-wrenching.
