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It dug at him that he couldn’t give her the answer she wanted. He couldn’t tell her that everything would work out for them, because it wasn’t going to. He was going to win this contest, and then he was going to sell her beloved inn and cut all his family strings. He was going to be done with his past and return to his future in San Diego.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Yes.”
The answer was like a crescendo in the room. It sucked all the oxygen from the room, leaving him desperate to escape. His pride didn’t allow him to move. He didn’t run away from things. He met them head on.
Her gaze narrowed. “So, everything we shared, it meant nothing to you?”
How was he supposed to answer that question? The truth was that it had meant everything to him. It was why he had to end things now.
He’d never let anyone get this close to him. And he knew from past experience that it wouldn’t last. He would somehow ruin it. She would go away, like his father, his mother, and his extended family. Why would Jo be any different when she figured out just how broken he was on the inside?
He cleared his throat. “I’m saying it was a mistake. I’m not here to start anything. I’m here to end things—to sell the inn and return to San Diego. I’m sorry I let things get out of control. It won’t happen again.”
She repeatedly blinked. “Don’t be sorry. I’m the one that thought—well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. You’ve certainly cleared things up. I just have one question.”
He braced himself for her question. “What would that be?”
“Will you still abide by the results of the contest?” Her gaze was unwavering.
“Yes. Will you?”
“Of course.”
He hadn’t meant to insult her by doubting her. He just had to make sure he wasn’t wasting his time by working on the room when he could be spending his time packing up the bungalow.
“Then I’ll be going. I have a room to reimagine.” He shifted his weight back to his other foot. “I guess this is the part where I should wish you good luck.”
“Don’t. I know you don’t have any good will toward me or the inn. But don’t think that will dissuade me. I’ll beat you. Just wait and see.”
The hardness in her voice dug at him. She was hurt and it was all his fault. His instinct was to go to her and apologize. Yet he knew it would only make things worse for her—it would give her false hope. He couldn’t do that to her—to himself.
“Bring on your best.” It wouldn’t feel like a win unless they both did their best.
Her eyes narrowed. “I will. Now if you would leave, I have some work to do.”
She was kicking him out? She moved to the door and opened it. She turned back to him with a glare. If he’d wanted to succeed in putting up a wall between them, he’d done it. He just didn’t realize it would be this painful having her anger aimed directly at him.
She resisted the urge to slam the door.
Josie had never been more hurt and angry in equal parts. She was more upset with herself than Lane. After all, she’d foolishly let herself think they were building something together. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
As much as she wanted to blame Lane, she couldn’t. It wasn’t like he’d ever told her that he had changed his mind about selling the inn. It was just with the way he’d started to let down his guard with her and to enjoy himself on the island that she’d allowed herself to read too much into every word and action. She groaned in frustration.
She had to get back to her plan to beat him in this contest. And the flooring mix-up was certainly putting a kink in her plan. The navy-blue carpet clashed with her pale-gray and pastel-pink décor.
Knock-knock.
“Come in.” She didn’t really want to talk to anyone, but being the boss didn’t allow her the luxury of hiding away from the world.
Sara opened the door and stuck her head inside. “Everything okay?”
Josie forced a smile to her lips. “Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I saw Lane leave, and he didn’t look happy. Is he upset about the accident last night?”
Josie shook her head. “It’s nothing like that.” Not wanting to admit that things between them had spun out of control, she said, “He’s upset about the flooring mix-up, but I explained to him that he isn’t the only person affected.”
Sara nodded in understanding. “Have you figured out what you’re going to do with your room?”
