“Oh, that’s great. I’m sorry, I thought…you were just a date.” His voice trailed off and his eyes had a sudden interest in his expensive loafers.
“Happens all the time.” I smiled brightly, not wanting to ruin the mood.
This was an important night and having someone who seemed important be shamed, probably wasn’t the right direction we needed to go in. Besides, it was nice that Moose stood up and corrected the guy. The group broke into smaller conversations, allowing me to slip away with the excuse of needing the restroom. I just needed a minute to escape Josh’s gaze. It was burning a hole through the back of my head. Thenight was almost over, I told myself as I fixed a flyaway hair that was annoying me.
Just as I was ready to make my exit, a large hand pressed against my back. “Interested in a dance?”
When I glanced over, I was surprised to see the gentleman from earlier.
“Let me make it up to you?” he asked in the sexiest tone I’d heard in a while.
Could one dance hurt? It’d probably help us out, my inner dialogue chimed in for moral support. My stomach was flipping on the inside. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was already guiding me out to the floor or if it was because I may have snuck a glance at Josh, who was staring at us. Josh glared like he was about to jump over the table and rip me out of this guy’s arms. Not going to lie, it was kind of hot. There was something about jealousy on a man that was off the charts. Not thepsycho-murder-ykind, but thetouch-what’s-mine-and-I’ll-break-youkind that you only fantasize about in books. But seeing it in real life was about to set my insides on fire. And for some reason, the rational part of my brain had decided to take a leave of absence and I suddenly wanted Josh to realize what he was missing.
The thumping on my door was getting out of hand. I was surprised the neighbors hadn’t put in a complaint. It was day three of him coming to see if I was home, according to Nora.
“Love his persistence.” She yawned, red-eyed, as she stumbled into the kitchen.
“Sorry.”
She shuffled over to me and sighed. “Look, I’m all for playing the goalie, but eventually, you will need to talk to him.”
My turn to sigh. “I know.”
“Can you now? At least, see what kind of bullshit he is going to spout. The oldI was a fool. I need you back.” She flung herself at me for an added dramatic effect.
“He can’t have what never existed.” I shot a pointed look at her.
Her eyebrow rose. “You can say whatever you need to, but you and I both know that man had you, and there wasn’t a fucking fake thing about it.”
“Then I was a fool, because the minute he won the bet, he ended it.”
She nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t think he meant it.”
“Oh, please. It’s Josh. I’ll be replaced next week.”
“Sure, that’s why he’s here banging down our door day after day and blowing up your phone with messages you pretend don’t exist.”
Damn it. I hated when she brought logic into my righteousness. “I don’t know?—”
She put her hand up and stopped me mid-sentence. “That’s just it, you don’t know. And you won’t know unless you answer the goddamn door.”
My head dropped down. “Fuck, I hate it when you do that.”
She shot me one her all-knowing grins.
“I’ll support you no matter what. Maybe, hear him out and let me know if we’re loving or hating him. M’kay?” she said, walking over to the door just as there was another knock.
“I know you’re home, April. The doorman told me you came home last night.”
“Is nothing sacred around here?” I muttered.
Nora flung the door open. “One more knock on this door and I’ll be using your nuts as a punching bag.”
He flinched. It was great.
“Don’t close the door.” He held it open with his foot.
Nora scanned him with her eyes. “You should be payingrent around here with the amount of times your name has occupied the space in the room.”
