“Thanks,” I mutter.
“When did you last shower?”
“Who cares? I’m on vacation.”
“Is that what you’re calling it?” she asks.
“Thanks for coming. I’m not sure why you’re here. I’m sure you mean well, but I’m not in the mood.”
“I don’t care.” She grabs one of the takeout containers and stacks it on top of another and then a third. “This is pathetic.Youare pathetic.”
“Did Flint put you up to this? Or Magma?”
She turns to look at me, arms full of takeout containers. She puts them back down, and I sit up.
“No, I went by Security Central to see you. I wanted to talk to you. The receptionist told me you were on vacation. That’s when I saw Flint. He called me into Magma’s office. They told me thatyou hadn’t left town. That you were holed up at home, and they gave me your home address.”
“I’ll bet they did,” I mutter.
“They care about you, and they’re worried just like I’m worried about Robyn.”
I rub my face. I’ve got a beard growing.
Crap!
When did that happen?
I’d better shave.
Then I compute what she’s saying and sit up straighter. “Why are you worried about Robyn? What’s wrong?”
“See? You care.”
“Of course I care, I care very much. Is she alright?”
“She’s fine.”
I heave out a sigh of relief. “Don’t scare me like that, Carla. Now listen, I appreciate you stopping by. I really do. But I’d like you to leave now.”
“No.” She walks the takeout containers into my kitchen and dumps them into the trash. I hear her open the cupboard under the sink and grab another bag. “I’m going to say my piece, and then I’ll leave.”
“I don’t want to hear your piece. And leave my trash alone. I’ll take it out.”
“When? At this rate, the trash will take itself out. Here’s the thing, Ridge.” She comes back into the living room. “Both you and Robyn are in a bad place right now. You’re both pining like a couple of teenagers. Neither of you will admit it. You’re both stubborn as hell.”
I widen my eyes. “Robyn is pining?”
Carla lifts a brow at me. “You’re not that dense, are you?”
“I’m going to assume that’s a rhetorical question. You said Robyn is pining?”
“It wasn’t rhetorical at all. You’re both in love with each other, and you both refuse to face facts. So yes, Ridge. She’s pining. Just like you’re pining. You’ve turned into a lazy ass, and she hasn’t stopped working.”
I shake my head. “Nope. No. You’re wrong there. Robyn isn’t in love with me. Not even a little. She made that very clear. I’m sure she’s just catching up on her work. She told me plenty of times how she needs to get on top of things. That’s all it is, and this…” I point around the room, “is me taking a break. You have it all wrong.”
“I don’t have it wrong. Unlike you, I don’t believe her when she says she isn’t in love with you.” Carla shakes her head and rolls her eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t get stuck. “Typical stupid male.”
“Of course I believed her. Robyn spelled it out for me. She told me she didn’t want me. She thanked me very politely for everything I’d done, and then she shut the door in my face.”
