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“I don’t know why you hate him so much. He’s practically part of the family.”
The words strike my heart with a force that leaves me breathless. He’s more than that, I want to scream. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, ever dreamed of.
But I’m too damaged, too broken. There aren’t fairy-tale endings and rainbows waiting for me. I’m a magnet for assholes who treat me like shit.
Rob’s different. He’s too pure, too righteous. He deserves a woman who isn’t shattered and terrified of commitment.
“I know,” I whisper as tears well up in my eyes.
“Look, he didn’t tell me all the details. He just wanted to check on you, make sure you’re okay.”
“Why didn’t he do it himself then?”
“He’s been working all week. Double shifts.” He pats my hand. “I’m sure he’ll check on you this weekend, once he has a break.”
“Sure.” I nod, ignoring the twisting guilt in the pit of my stomach.
Does Arthur know something happened between us? I mean, he’s not blind, but I’m not volunteering any information. Not tonight. My body twitches and I stand, unable to sit under his scrutiny.
“You don’t look convinced.” His gaze follows me. “Did something else happen?”
“No.” I bite the edge of my fingernail. “Isn’t it bad enough I got beat up and robbed in the same night?”
“I wasn’t talking about that.” He cocks his head and furrows his brow. “Rob...did you two have a fight or something?”
Images of Rob with his head buried between my thighs flash to the forefront of my mind. My body tingles at the reminder of his warm mouth and talented fingers. I shake my head, trying to purge the wicked, tempting thoughts from my brain.
“No. Nothing like that.” My tone is too adamant, and I take a deep breath.
“Something happened between you two. I’ve been friends with Rob long enough to know when he’s not being completely honest.” He rises slowly to his feet. “And you...well, I know when you’re keeping things from me.”
“Nothing happened between Rob and me.” I hold his gaze determined to make him believe me. Willing him to believe my blatant lie. “He came over, patched me up, saved me from the cat burglar, and that’s it. End of story.”
“Okay. Fine. It just seems like you’re both a bit on edge now.” He lifts his hands in supplication.
“After everything that happened, you expect me not to be?” I scoff.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“Then what are you trying to say?”
“Look, I know you and Rob aren’t exactly friends. I’m not even sure when the animosity started between you two.” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “But Rob’s not your enemy.”
“I know that.”
“Then stop treating him like he is.” Arthur exhales sharply. “He’s trying to be nice, the least you could do is to not act like you want to claw his eyes out every time he walks into the room.”
“He walked away completely unscathed this weekend.”
“Did he?” He arches a brow, frown firmly in place.
Guilt burrows deep into my bones. Did he really? I shake my head to clear the invasive thought.
“Listen, I’m not going to pry into your personal life. You’ve done a hell of a job getting yourself back on track after Dan. I’m proud of you and all you’ve accomplished.” He sighs. “I just don’t want to see you throw it all away over another asshole.”
Even if he’s not an asshole and your best friend? I swallow the retort, knowing I won’t like the conversation that follows.
Rob isn’t asking me to throw away my career or my dreams. It was one night. I have no idea where it’s going to go from here. That’s the part that scares the hell out of me.
