AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His eyes widened at what must have seemed like an unexpected attack. Unlike with James, with whom she attacked first and enjoyed the battle that triggered between them, Hailey always maintained the peace with Mark. It was easier, and the arguments between them rarely ended happily. With James, they laughed it off. Mark sulked. And she hated sulkers.
Her words had Mark tugging at his collar. “That’s not fair, Hailey.”
“Isn’t it?” She shrugged. “It’s how I feel. It’s one of the many reasons why I left.”
“Many reasons?” He blinked at her. “I thought this was…”
Her brow puckered. “You thought it was what?”
“I thought you arranged all this so that I’d come follow you here and propose. You’ve made me work for it, certainly,” he retorted, his teeth gritting a little. He’d come onto her several times while they were here, and that was the last thing she’d wanted.
After James, well, she never wanted Mark again.
Jeez. Why would she?
One night with James wasn’t enough to turn her into a nun because no man could ever compare, so why bother, but it would keep her strong for a little while longer. Memories sometimes tasted better than reality. And the reality with Mark was… well, unimpressive. She hadn’t slept with him for a long time. Had used her period as an excuse, and had even taken to using work as a reason to stay at the office long into the night. That was probably one of the reasons why she’d done so well recently with her contracts. So many hours spent avoiding Mark, so she wouldn’t have to put out…
Hell, she was almost ashamed of herself. Why had she stayed for so long? What an idiot she’d been.
At his words, though, she shook her head. It didn’t surprise her that he’d totally misread her signals. Mark never listened. That was his problem. If he’d listened when she’d left, he’d have heard the finality to her tone, and if he had, these past weeks, while still complicated, would have been a hell of a lot simpler.
“Marrying you was the last thing on my mind, Mark,” she told him simply. It wasn’t good for his ego, but his ego was healthy anyway.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Hailey. Marriage has always been on the cards for us. This little detour was just a final rebellion, that’s all. I’ve allowed it, because I think it only right you know how much you mean to me, but it’s definitely time for the game to be over. It’s run its course now.”
“A final rebellion?” she scoffed, not even bothering to deal with the rest of the shit he’d just uttered. The last thing she needed was an ulcer, and his audacity was so irritating, it was enough to make her want to shoot back a bottle of Pepto Bismol like it was a chaser.
Before she could say another word, he cut her a look then one at the barman who was, without doubt, listening in. “I think I’d prefer for this conversation to happen somewhere more private, Hailey.”
Because she didn’t exactly want staff listening in either, she conceded with a nod. Sliding off the stool, she reached for her glass and carried it with her. In silence, they crossed the bar and headed back to the reception, where an elevator was waiting for them.
Fortuitous, or a death knell, she didn’t know.
Unease crawled through her yet again, but she owed Mark this much.
Apparently, she’d not done that great a job at breaking up with him before. Although how the words, “This is over. I’m moving three thousand miles away,” could be misconstrued, she really didn’t know. The man still thought they were dating, for God’s sake. Worse, on the brink of marriage! What the hell did she have to do to make him realize the end was more than just nigh, it was already fait accompli?
Silence was their companion as they soared high to the tenth floor, and it continued as they headed down to his room at the end of the hall.
Only when the door was closed behind him did she feel like speaking, but with that door firmly shut, she regretted, more than ever, the need to be in here with him.
Before he could speak, she murmured, “Just a second, Mark.” She grabbed her phone from her small clutch purse. “I need to text Aidan; I just remembered he asked me to run an errand for him today and I forgot.” Though he looked displeased, he just ducked his chin in understanding.
Aidan, James, I’m really sorry to ask, but I’m in the Aviary Hotel downtown. Room 1098. Please could you come get me? It’s kind of urgent. I’m with Mark and I don’t think he’s going to take this conversation lying down.
I really appreciate it.
H x
A sigh of relief washed through her once the group text flickered to ‘delivered’, and she knew she could face this conversation with the knowledge either Aidan or James, or both, would be on their way for her soon. Damn, why hadn’t she prearranged that before? She’d have been in a stronger position, but the truth was, she knew James would have done his level best to prevent any kind of conversation going down between her and Mark, period. And though he was creeping her out, Mark deserved closure.
Mark obviously still thought he could manipulate her into going back out with him, and she was about to show him that wasn’t the case.
“I should never have let you leave Florida,” he declared the minute she popped her phone back into her purse.
Her brows rose. “There’s no ‘letting’ me do anything, Mark. It’s my life, and I can do whatever I want. That’s the joy of being an adult.”
He shook his head. “Your trouble is, Hailey, you don’t know what you want. When you told me you’d quit, I was astonished. Hardly two years after college, you’d managed to create a client list that most execs with ten years on the job would be jealous about. But, rather than ride that gravy train, you jump ship. You’re flighty. I always knew it, and should have gone further to address the issue. It’s to my own detriment I didn’t.”
