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“I know.”
“My brothers would kill you—literally bury your body underground—if they knew you touched me.”
“I know.”
She goes back to pacing. “And now we have to work together. And live together. And we have this big, deep, dark secret. And…and…” She’s so worked up, she’s practically hyperventilating in between each of her accusations.
I exhale heavily, massaging my throbbing temples. “You need to calm down,” I manage to mutter.
“You do not say those words to a woman!” She stomps. “And I’d say I’m pretty fucking calm, all things considered.”
Yikes.
“Look, I know where the line in the sand is, Karli. I won’t cross it again,” I promise tiredly.
Karli opens her mouth, undoubtedly to keep arguing with me. Normally, I’d love to go twelve rounds in the ring with her. But not tonight.
I hold up a hand. “Karli, I am sorry about the kiss. But I can’t argue with you right now. I just…can’t.” My eyes shutter closed as I rub a hand across my forehead.
It’s silent for a beat. And then Karli mumbles, “Headache?” All her animosity is gone, her voice dropped to a sympathetic whisper.
I nod. I mutter a ‘goodnight’ and turn to head upstairs. I hate to be a dick, but when my headaches reach this level, I cannot function with humans.
I probably need to figure out a better way to manage all this stress I’m under, before I send myself to an early grave. But for now, I’ll focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
I take a scalding hot shower, turn out every light, and stumble into bed.
When I’ve laid here long enough that the room has stopped spinning, I check my phone and see that I’ve got a missed call from an unknown number. My head pulses again. I know it’s got to be my obnoxious ex, looking for new ways to bug me after I blocked her on every app known to man. It wouldn’t surprise me if she went out and got a whole new phone just to continue nagging me.
I block this number, too. I refuse to get dragged back into that toxic loop with Zara.Which just emphasizes my current circumstances. I cannotscrew things up here in this new town. Not if I really want this fresh start.
I eventually drift off into a light sleep. Sometime later, a soft tap at the door awakes me. It takes me a minute to untangle my legs from the blankets in the darkness, and then I get up to answer the door.
I glance down the hall. There’s no Karli in sight. But there on the floor, is a bowl of fresh fruit, a small dish of nuts, a mug of tea that smells like ginger, and a handwritten note that just says,Sorry.
For the first time all evening, I smile.
19
KARLI
I’m buzzing with nerves as I get ready for my first official day of working at the clinic.
It’s not exactly the summer I had planned, but last night, I thought long and hard about the points my brother made. As much as it physically pains me to give Felix the credit, he’s probably right. In the long term, it wouldn’t hurt to have some clinic experience on my resume.And a weekly paycheck would go a long way, too. Plus, as much as my brother and I bicker, I actuallywantto see him succeed in running the clinic. It would make Dad proud.
So, it’s settled. I’m working at the reception desk this summer.
Now, here I am, hustling around the kitchen, packing a healthy, balanced lunch, while sneaking bites of my breakfast. Keeping my body and mind fueled is important since I need to be on my A-game for the next eight to ten hours.
I’m pouring the green smoothie I just blended into my travel mug when Mason comes tromping in through the front door, all hot and sweaty from his morning jog. The instant ache between my thighs makes my movements falter and I end up spilling some of my drink on the counter.
Geez—it is way too early in the day for all this hotness.
He doesn’t notice me staring, because he’s busy wiping his forehead with the hem of his T-shirt.
The man has got abs. Abs everywhere.
“Oh, you’re up. Hi…” he says when his head snaps up.
