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“Neither am I. So, why are we even talking about this?”
“I’m saying it can’t happen again,” she says firmly.
“Why the hell not?” I’m unable to keep the frustration out of my voice.
She sighs and shakes her head sadly. “We don’t need that complication in our lives. We get along so well as friends. I don’t want to mess that up.”
I rake my hand through my hair. I’m trying to find an argument that will change her mind. Make her see how good we are together. “Sleeping together doesn’t mean that will change.”
“It does, and you know it. When you decide, for the second time, you no longer want to be with me, I’ll be left alone. I don’t want to be hurt like that again.”
I throw my hands into the air in exasperation. “I’ve apologized for leaving. I don’t plan on repeating that mistake.”
“Do you really believe that, Ethan? Can you honestly say that you will stay in Manhattan no matter what happens?”
No matter what happens? There’s a curious tightening in my chest when I think of leaving her, but how can I promise her I’ll never leave? “Look, I care about you, and I know you care about me, too. Can’t we just see how things go?”
“Been there and done that. I’m not repeating past mistakes.”
So, now I’m a mistake to her. Fine. If this is the way she wants it, I’m not going to beg her to change her mind. She’s not the only woman inNew York. Maybe I’ll get that red-headed waitress’s phone number after all. “Fine. So, we’re friends. Got it. I’m glad I scratched that itch for you last night. How about next time you let me know you’re just using me for sex?”
“Please don’t be mad. I want us to get along.”
Mad? Hell yes, I’m mad. After the night we just had, she wants to pretend like nothing happened and be fuckingfriends. No way am I going to let her know how this is affecting me. So, I shrug at her. “If that’s what you want. Just don’t bring Trent over here, and I won’t bring my women here either.”
The quick flash of anger that crosses her eyes brings me just a little satisfaction. Is she mad that I mentioned Trent or that I talked about other women? Maybe she’s not as immune as she’d like to be.
“I think the faster I move back to my place, the better,” she says. “In fact, it’s probably best if I start making plans to do that as soon as possible.”
“No!” I fight the inexplicable panic. She can’t leave yet. “You’re not leaving until it’s safe.”
“I can hire security at my building just as easily as you did here.”
“You’re not leaving until we’ve caught the guy,” I tell her in a stern voice. “I am not okay with putting Matthew at risk. Unless you’re willing to leave him, you both stay.”
The stubborn look on her face makes me think she will argue. Her face softens slightly when she looks over at his baby swing. “I want what’s best for him, too. We’ll stay a little longer. I know this is a difficult situation for both of us, and I’ll do my best to help keep the peace between us.”
The tension between us is uncomfortable. If I’d known that sleeping with her last night was going to end like this, I probably wouldn’t havedone it. Ah, shit, who am I kidding? I’d have done it anyway. She might act like last night was nothing to her, but I know better.
It definitely meant something to me. It hurts that she wants to pretend otherwise. She knows I care for her. What else does she want? Some big profession of love? I’m not going to do that. Not for her. Not for anyone. It should be enough that I care for her more than any other woman I’ve ever been with.
The tension is still in the room when Peyton Douglas arrives a few minutes later. Liz jumps up from the sofa to answer the door, probably just to get away from me.
Peyton walks in wearing fitted slacks and a cream-colored silk blouse. “Hello, Mr. Anders, Ms. Blakely. I’m pleased you could meet on short notice.”
Liz waves her hand toward the couch. “Of course. We appreciate your time. Please have a seat. I’m sure you’re busy and would like to get started.”
“Thank you. Of course, yes. I’ll get right to it.” She pulls out an envelope but holds it in her lap. She faces Liz. “How much do you know about Trent Ellington’s marriage and subsequent divorce? Have you met his wife?”
Liz looks a little uncomfortable at the mention of Trent. For his sake, he better not be involved in this.
“I don’t believe I’ve met his wife, no. I don’t know much about her or the marriage. As for the divorce, Trent said that they wanted different things and separated amicably. I didn’t ask for details.”
“I see.” Peyton pauses and looks over at me.
“Is there something we should know?” I ask in a concerned tone.
Peyton nods. “Yes, we found a couple of red flags in our investigation. Things are definitely not as you were led to believe by Mr. Ellington.”
