“Is this why you went to law school, Audrey?” Ethan stepped closer, practically getting in my face. “To manipulate people and screw them over? Your dad would be ashamed of you.”
My cheeks flamed with heat. It certainly felt that way when I was working at Jones and Laughlin. But that wasn’t why I’d gone to law school, and Ethan’s sharp rebuke was a harsh reminder of what my goals had been.
“No!I didn’t—”
“You’re just like your mom—a liar.” Ethan turned and headed for the stairs, his words hitting their mark.Wow.
“Ethan, wait. Let me…explain.” The word died on my lips as he jogged through the house and out of sight.
When I tried to follow him, Ben tightened his grip on my shoulder, muttering, “Leave it,” into my ear.
A moment later, Ethan sped down the driveway in his truck. Max barked from the passenger window.Fuck.
“Maybe I should—” Vanessa hooked her thumb over her shoulder.
“Yes.” I turned to her with a smile, the words infused with confidence. “Thank you for coming, but we aren’t selling.”
“Audrey,” Ben said. “What are you talking about?”
I ignored him, focusing my attention on Vanessa. “I apologize for wasting your time.”
“Oh.” She gripped the strap of her tote bag. “Sure. Um, well, here’s my card. Call me if anything changes.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
Once she was out of earshot, Ben exploded. “Audrey, what the hell were you thinking?”
“What was I thinking?” I spun on him. “What the hell wereyouthinking? You crossed the line.”Lines,I thought.
“I was just trying to help.” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms, and I shook out of his touch.
“Stop. Just stop.” I held up my hands. “I’m a big girl, and whether you believe it or not, I can actually handle things for myself.”
“I know that—”
“Do you?” I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze. “Because you went to Geoff after I asked you not to. You flew to California, even though I told you I was fine. And you invited a real estate agent out to the house, without talking to me, and now…”Now, Ethan hates me.
I stopped midsentence, realizing this wasn’t worth my time or energy. I spun and marched inside, intent on finding my phone, my keys, anything to connect with Ethan. To explain. Fuck, this was such a mess.
“This is about that guy—Ethan. Isn’t it?” Ben followed at my side. “I thought you were going to charm and disarm him. Not fuck him.”
I jerked my head back at his crude words, the judgmental tone. “How dare you,” I seethed. “How dare you stand there and judge me when you take home a new girl every night.”
“Not in six months, I haven’t.”
I stomped toward the kitchen. “Good for you, Ben.” I tossed the words over my shoulder.
“I haven’t taken a woman home in six months. Because there’s only one I want to be with.”
I ignored him and grabbed my keys and phone and shoved them in my pocket. Ben gripped my elbow, forcing me to stop. My eyes widened as he grasped me by the shoulders, holding my gaze.
“It’s you, Audrey. I’m in love with you. I think I always have been.”
“What?” I sputtered, completely unprepared for his declaration.
He nodded. “I love you, and I want to be with you.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before tracing my jaw with his thumb. The entire time, all I could think about was Ethan. How it was his hands that should be touching me, his eyes caressing my face.
