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“He went to find a quiet place to take a phone call. Something about a client.”
I shook my head. No doubt it was one of his athletes badgering him about something crazy like how to operate an oven… Seriously. Some of his adult clients acted like spoiled, rich, children who saw him as their parent.
“Still, you should go back inside. We don’t want him finding us?—”
“Doing what, Jamie? Talking? What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is the other night,” I practically growled. I didn’t mean to be harsh with her but my frustration—with myself—had me on edge. Of all the women to be interested in, it had to be my friend's ex. If I could kick myself in the ass, I would. If I could stop wanting Charlotte… I would.
She folded her arms and glared at me. “We kissed. So what? Why do we keep doing this, Jamie? Why keep skirting around the obvious? We’re into each other. You act as if that’s the worst thing?—”
“It is,” I bit out.
“Why because I dated Lincoln eons ago? Look, Jamie, I know?—”
“No, you don’t know, Charlotte.” I took another step away from her. “We need to end this now. No further discussion. And that kiss was a mistake.”
“You’re so full of shit,” she snapped. Her eyes sparked with annoyance. The orbs rivaled the tiny fireballs scattered in the night sky.
I glowered at her. “You know, in my world, no one talks to me like that. They don’t dare.”
“Well, Jamie, I don’t care what you’re the CEO of and how many people you get to boss around. Here, your severe scowl and arrogance have no effect. I won’t stop talking about something because you say so. Welcome to my world.”
I shoved my hands into my pockets as I studied her features, alive with emotions. She was so hot, especially with that sexy pout. The things I wanted to do to that mouth… My gaze dipped to travel over her curves in the tight dress. The things I wanted to do to that body.
Somehow, I managed to hold back my amusement at her response. Charlotte had the kind of attitude that a man like me, who was always in control of every situation, couldn’t help but find intriguing. Her sass and defiance stimulated my mind and body.
However, I couldn’t do this with her. Yeah, I considered Vera’s advice and had been leaning toward it, but then I saw Lincoln and Charlotte together and remembered why I shouldn’t complicate matters. I raked my fingers through my hair, my hand shaking with agitation.
“Just go back inside, Charlotte. We’re done.”
“But—”
“We have nothing to talk about.”
She huffed. “You’re such a coward.”
Fury, frustration, confusion… everything came to a boil. Why did she insist on making this so hard for me? I wasn’t able to reign in my temper.
“I could be or maybe I’m a loyal friend who refuses to hurt a man I consider my brother over some woman I just met!”
The air crackled with uneasy silence and then she took a step back, her face flushed. Charlotte searched my face as if she didn’t believe me. I kept my expression hard, hoping to convince her that I wasn’t lying through my teeth—about her being some woman, anyway. She was so much more than that.
Finally, she believed what I wanted her to. Without another word, she turned and walked away.
I stared at her retreating form. As I took in her hunched shoulders, I felt like scum. I deserved a bullet in the foot for that, but it had to be done.
14
CHARLOTTE
“Where are your boyfriends this morning, Char?” My co-worker, Josh, smirked at me.
I bit the inside of my cheeks hard to keep my temper in check. After last night, I was not in the mood for anybody’s shit. “Boyfriends?”
Josh took up a harness used for indoor rock climbing to assess it. “You know, the bunch of guys who stroll in here every morning, demanding you as their guide.”
I rolled my eyes. He was such a hater. “I’m never salty when guests come in here and request you, am I, Josh?”
