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“What, did you think I’d just take the money and disappear, and you wouldn’t have to look me in the eye after your treachery?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he continues to stare at the paper, a myriad of emotions flickering across his face. I recognize confusion, surprise, and outrage. Usually, it’s hard to gauge his feelings, but it doesn’t seem like he’s even conscious that his guard isn’t up.
Now I’m as perplexed as he appears to be. When he looks up, he asks in the most chillingly calm tone, “Devlin gave you this?”
“What are you playing at? Of course she did.Yousent her to give it to me. I’ve never been so humiliated in my life.” And hurt. But I refuse to admit that aloud and have him know how much power he already has over my emotions. “Why would you offer me money to vacate your space? Yourlife? I just don’t get it. I never asked you for anything...” My voice trails because I’m dangerously close to breaking down. One pesky tear slips out and rolls down my cheek.
“I didn’t send Devlin to do anything,” he bites out.
Outraged, I snatch the check from him and point at his signature. “Really? How stupid do you think I am?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw and he plucks it back from my fingers. “I’d never think that. The evidence is right here. Of course, it looks bad. But I had nothing to do with this, Grace. Your suspicion is warranted, but if I wanted you out of my life, I’d tell you directly—and paying you off is fucking ridiculous.”
Our gazes lock. His eyes appear darker. I’m not sure if it’s because it's night or because of the anger I hear underlying his words. Doubt creeps in.
“Rowan, what are you saying? What’s going on?”
“What’s going on is that I’m going to fire the shit out of my lawyer,” he mutters.
I take a step back. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Do I strike you as the type to joke around?” He holds up the check. “Like this?”
I wrap my arms around my middle, not sure what to do now. I’m so confused. “Well, I don’t know, Rowan. I barely know you. It’s like you don’t want me to get to know you. I try to get close and you push me away. How am I supposed to know what you are and aren’t capable of?” I throw my arms up in frustration.
“I didn’t sign this check,” he says.
“So, you’re saying Devlin played me?”
“She did a hell of a lot more than that,” he says. “She tried to steal from me. She forged my signature, for Christ’s sake.” He scrubs a hand over his face and hisses an expletive. “I can’t deal with this right now.” He steps around me and opens the door. “Get inside.”
“Like hell. I’m leaving.”
“Grace,” he sighs his impatience, “we need to talk.”
“Oh, now you want to talk?” I snort. “I’m done. I don’t know what’s going on here, and I’ve decided not to care.” I fish the key to his SUV out of my pocket, take his hand, and drop it into his palm. He stares down at the key before giving me a raised-eyebrow look. “Have a great life, Rowan.”
“So you’re going to walk all the way from here back to your apartment?”
I’m on my way down the steps when I stop to turn around and glare at him. “Yourapartment, which I’ll be out of by morning.”
“Where will you go?”
Hell if I know. “That’s not your concern. I’ll leave everything you’ve paid for in your apartment.” I pause. “Well, noteverything.I guess I’ll keep some of the clothes... and underwear. It’s not like you can return those.”
Amusement flickers in Rowan’s eyes and I stifle a groan. Why can’t I juststoptalking sometimes? I tell Awkward Grace to shut her trap. Hot-faced, I try to give Rowan another severe look, but it falls flat, considering I just embarrassed myself...again.
Deciding it’s best to leave with the sliver of dignity I have left, I sniff haughtily and stomp down the steps.
“Grace, get back here,” Rowan orders.
I huff. Of course, he’d still think he can dish out orders and expect them to be followed. He’s so arrogant.
Disregarding his command, I march to the sidewalk, surprised when Rowan appears in front of me. Before my gasp escapes, he bends at the knees, hoists me up, and throws me over his shoulder.
“Hey!” I shriek. “What are you doing? Put me down.”
He ignores me andsauntersback to the porch and inside the house with me, as if I’m just a bag of groceries. It sends my irritation through the roof. I can’t believe him!
