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She’s still mad at me. She’ll probably never stop being angry. But I’m a stubborn Irishman, so this doesn’t sway me. I’ll keep trying to soften her, trying to make up for the cruel way I’ve been ignoring her. I hadn’t realized she would be so upset with me over it.
Biting into my sandwich, I make a show of chewing, tossing in an audible moan. “So good,” I say through a mouthful.
She chews the inside of her cheek, scowl still in place. Her hand reaches out, picking up a half of the bagel. Hers has spinach, tomato, Tofutti, and spicy vegan mayo. That fire in her eyes is there, despite the cold shoulder I’m still receiving.
Tension fills the room, air swirling between us, while I wait to see if she’ll give in and take a damn bite of her food. I hold my breath, waiting for the result. This had been so much easier when she didn’t hate me, and just blindly followed instructions to please me.
Now, I have to worry about if she’ll retaliate, that her hatred could win out to the friendship I worked so hard to curate. Her lips part, and she brings the food to her mouth. The tightness in my chest eases.
She doesn’t look at me, but fuck do I stare while she chews the tiniest of bites. It’s a victory I’ll take.
“Corbin seems nice,” I say through bites of my food. He actually doesn’t, but I’m not about to tell her that I think her boyfriend is a dickhead and she can do better. The glimpse I got last night is all I need to know about what a tool he is.
Fucker didn’t even see her safely inside.
I don’t expect a response at this point, so I’ll just continue the one-sided conversation until I get one. If she doesn’t want me bothering her, she can use her big girl words and kick me out. The office door opens without a knock first, and I turn my head. The boyfriend enters, a smile on his face, coffee in hand.
“Corbin,” Saoirse says. She stands from her chair and rounds the desk to greet him.
I don’t miss the stink eye he tosses my way. I lean back in my chair, a grin spreading across my face. Well this breakfast just got a little tastier.
He wraps his free arm around her, pressing his lips against her cheek. Rubbing my hands against my thighs, I try not to give away my disdain for this guy. He is the Governor of Massachusetts, after all.
Saoirse cups his face in her hands, and plants a welcoming kiss to his lips. Heat creeps up my neck, flushing through my face. I try to tell myself it’s because of embarrassment. That I’ve never seen her so intimate with another man. But the truth is, it fucking infuriates me thatmymouth isn’t tasting her. That it’s notmyarms wrapping around her, that it’s notmychest her tits are pressing against.
I force myself to acknowledge that this is for the best. That she deserves more than I have to offer. Corbin’s got job security. Fuck, he has extended life security. I can die at any moment, dealing with the shit I deal with. Not to mention the shit I’d be in for fucking Callum’s sister.
I can’t date the Mafia boss’s sister and live to tell the tale.
So, the second I felt she was growing attached, I cut the cord, for both our sakes. Now it seems she’s thriving with this man. Meanwhile, I’m stuck reaping the consequences of my actions.
“Morning,” Corbin says. He glances my way, then back to her. “Where’s Hugh?”
Saoirse waves a hand toward me, rolling her eyes. “Hugh’s out sick today. This is Scotty.” She doesn’t bother to introduce me. “Coffee, for me?” she asks, politely taking the cup he’s extending to her.
He clears his throat, an awkward nervousness to it, his eyes settled on the coffee I’ve already bought. “Guess I should have double checked. Didn’t realize you already had some. Am I interrupting anything?”
“Oh, I barely slept. I need all the caffeine I can get. Almond milk?” She sits behind her desk.
“Mmm. Nope. They only had half and half or whole milk—”
I snort, catching looks from both Saoirse and Corbin, and cutting him off before he can finish his sentence.
“What’s wrong?” Corbin asks, eyes darting between us.
“She’s vegan. That means she can’t have milk,” I say, still sitting in a relaxed position. I rest my elbow on the arm of the chair, and place my index finger against my cheek.
“She had butter last night,” Corbin says, looking at both of us.
A brow raises to my hairline. “Really, now?”
He smacks his hand to his forehead. “Shit, Saoirse. I forgot. Why didn’t you say anything?” Corbin’s face scrunches up. “I gave you a piece of buttered bread.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She sighs, shaking her head.
“Anyway.” Corbin glares at me. “I was going to say I got it black.” He turns back to her. “No dairy, okay?”
Saoirse gives him a pinched smile, nodding. “Thanks, babe.”
