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Anne thought about the mild words and realized her friend was right. She groaned and leaned her head back against the couch. “Maybe tomorrow.”
“Maybe tomorrow.” Meg smiled at her and stood up. “Do you want something to eat or drink?”
“Just coffee. Thanks.”
“What are you wearing, anyway?” Meg peered at her. “Is that his t-shirt?”
Anne looked down at herself. It was Jake’s t-shirt. She couldn’t believe she still had it on.
It felt like it was all she had left of him.
Before she could say anything, there was a knock on the door that made her jump.
Frowning, Meg walked over to look out the peephole. Then she leaped back like she’d been burned.
“It’s him,” she hissed in a stage whisper.
Anne blinked at her. “It’s who?”
“It’s Jake! He’s here!”
“What do you mean, he’s here.” Anne jumped to her feet, slammed with shock and bewilderment. “What is he doing here?”
“I guess you’ll have to open the door and ask him.” Meg was grinning as she grabbed her water and skittered out of the room, closing her bedroom door behind her. Then she popped her head out and said, “Don’t do anything stupid,” before she closed the door again.
Anne stared at the closed door until there was another knock.
She walked over to stand in front of it.
“I know you’re in there,” Jake said through the door, sounding impatient, exasperated. “Anne, open the damned door.”
There was nothing Anne could do. She opened the door.
Six
Anne stared at Jake standing in front of her, just over the threshold of the door.
He was a mess—unshaved, with hair sticking up in all directions, and wearing the trousers and wrinkled shirt he’d worn yesterday.
Minus the t-shirt, since she was wearing that.
She blinked, vaguely bewildered, since she’d thought he’d gone to his own room this morning to shower, dress, and get ready for the day.
But he sure didn’t look like he’d taken a shower. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, since they were the only words that came to her lips.
“What are you doing?” he demanded, his gaze searching her face with an intensity she’d only occasionally seen in him before.
“I’m sorry.” She ran a hand down her hair, instinctively trying to smooth it down because it was probably as messy as his was.
When he just stared at her, looking almost broken, she realized with crystal clarity that she’d done everything wrong. Leaving the way she had this morning was the worst thing she could have done.
For everyone.
“I’m sorry,” she said again. “I shouldn’t have left like that. But you didn’t have to come after me. It wasn’t an emergency. You should have stayed to meet with Stew. Now you’ve wasted the whole trip.”
“What?” His voice broke on the one word, and his expression was baffled. Shocked. Hurt.
Hurt.
Her chest ached so much she could barely breathe. “Oh, Jake, I’m so sorry about everything.” She looked down at her feet in her highest heels, which she was still wearing. She desperately tried to think of something to say that would start to fix things.
“May I please come in?” Jake asked in a more composed tone.
“Oh. Yeah. Of course. Sorry.” She stepped aside and let him into the apartment. Then slowly shut the door behind him, listening to the sound of the soft click. “Jake—”
“No,” he interrupted, stepping toward her with a new urgency. “Let me talk first. I’m not sure what you’re running away from, Anne, but I don’t think it’s as bad as you think.” His gray eyes held hers without breaking. “I think there’s more to keep you with me than there is to push you away.”
She cleared her throat, blinking at the earnestness in his tone. She’d never heard Jake like this before. He’d always managed to be both laidback and professional. Not at all like this. It left her feeling shaky, but this was too important, so she made herself summon her courage to tell him the truth. “I know you want me to stay, Jake. I’m really sorry, but I can’t.”
