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The silence in the office spoke volumes. He really hadn’t thought she would have the nerve to push him on that fact.
“I apologized.”
“No, you didn’t. But that’s okay because I know you wouldn’t mean it. It really doesn’t matter because I’m involved with someone.”
Another beat of silence passed before his lips twisted into a sneer. For a moment, she was eighteen years old, and he had just broken her heart. That same look had been the one he gave her when she told him she was in love with him.
“So, you and Chandler?”
She hesitated and then nodded.
“Mom tried to tell me you were an item. The whole fucking place was abuzz with it the other night.”
Oh no, that wasn’t good. “Hmm, and you still showed up.”
“Well, yeah. I mean, someone like Chandler, he’s looking for different material for a serious relationship. Seriously, why would anything develop long-lasting between the two of you? Hell, he was engaged to Cynthia Myers.”
Anger sparked through her. It didn’t matter if she used the same argument, Freddy didn’t have a right to make assumptions.
“And, what, you thought I would go out with you after he dumped me?”
Freddy chuckled. “Of course not. I figured I’d be able to get you to go out now.”
“Really? So you think I would cheat on Max?”
“Seriously, Anna.” He shook his head, and a look of pity filled his gaze. “Youdohave a reputation.”
“Well, I guess that tells me. Now let me tell you.” For the first time since they entered the office, she let her anger show. She stepped forward and said, “Let me tell you how I feel about you. Even with my tattered reputation I don’t want you.”
Apparently, her true feelings were shining brilliantly because Freddy actually looked…afraid. He tried to take a step back and forgot how close he was to the door. The thump of his head against it made her smile.
“If you were the last willing man in town, I would become a lesbian. You, Freddy, lost any chances with me the day you called me a slut. If you come here to bug me, or to my house, or show up at any place I plan on being, I shall tell anyone I know just how”—she allowed her gaze to travel to his groin, then back up to his face—“lacking you are in certain departments. You know, so everyone understands the Hummer you have is all about compensating for what you don’t have.”
His face flushed, either in embarrassment or anger, she didn’t know, and really, she didn’t care. When he opened his mouth to argue, or call her a slut again, she stopped him with a warning.
“No matter how little you think of me, my family has been friends with the Chandlers for years. One word from me, and you could end up with a few problems with them, and doing business with them might get a tad uncomfortable.”
She was lying. Not that Max wouldn’t crush him, because he would do it without a thought. But she would never go to him about this.
Freddy didn’t say anything before he turned to leave. With his hand on the doorknob, he tossed an evil look over his shoulder and a parting shot.
“I heard you became a real ice bitch, so I guess they were right.”
She didn’t reply as she watched him leave, slamming the door behind him. Alone, she sank into one of the chairs in front of her desk and tried to calm her nerves. But no matter how much she told herself to forget the dicknut and his accusations, her hands wouldn’t stop shaking. She figured it was just a delayed reaction, but it didn’t stop the sour feeling in her stomach.
Granted, she’d stood up to the bastard finally, but it didn’t make her feel any better. There was a hint of truth to Freddy’s accusations because she knew her relationship with Max wouldn’t last, at least beyond their friendship. The one thing Max cared about was his family business. He’d never give it up and even if he wanted to, no other family members could take his place. Chandler Industries had always been run by a Chandler. Even if a cousin was capable of running it, it really wouldn’t matter, anyway. It was what Max had always dreamed of doing. Even in high school he’d talked of it. She didn’t fit in with that and she would be damned if she caused him any problems.
Yeah, Freddy had been partially right, but, Anna thought, it didn’t mean he still wasn’t a dickhead.
thirteen
“Jesus,youwouldpick a place like this, Chandler.”
Max glanced at Chris as he sipped a beer and studied the bar and its occupants with irritation. They’d been there for about an hour, and this was the first time Chris had complained, although Max was pretty sure it had been killing him not to.
“You said you wanted a place with local color. I provided.” He offered his friend a sarcastic grin and then finished off his own beer.
“I didn’t exactly want this much color.”
