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“He’s your friend.”
“Hardly. We’re connected, that’s all.”
“I’m going to promise him my loyalty in return for a future partnership. We’ll get it in writing.”
His eyes narrow. “Just like that?”
“I’d be a fool not to. I’ll have a better chance of becoming a recognised chef by his side than trying to wing it on my own.”
“By his side?”
“Yes, professionally. He’s so good at what he does.”
His voice deepens dangerously. “Tell me you don’t feel for him.”
My jaw hits the floor. “Because I want to better my career means that I feel for him? Whatever that means.”
“It’s all a bit much too soon. You’ve hardly worked there and suddenly he wants you permanently?”
“Maybe I’m just that good.” His face tells it all by the way he raises a brow and tears well in my eyes. “You don’t think I’m that good?”
“Gwen…” Every part of him softens as he reaches for me, but it’s too late. I pull away and he snaps, “Don’t be naïve! I’m not saying you’re not good enough…”
“That’s exactly what you’re saying.” Tears roll freely down my cheeks.
“Please,” he pushes, taking a step towards me and placing his hands on my shoulders. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. I just don’t trust him.”
“No, you just don’t have faith in me as your wife or as a chef.” I snarl and break free of his hold.
“Gwen,” he calls as I move through the hall, grabbing my bag and my keys as I go. “Where are you going?”
“Away from you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” His hand on the door stops me from leaving. “Please, let’s just calm down. This has all been blown out of proportion.”
“Tell that to my broken heart.” My chest deflates as I exhale a shuddering breath.
“Gwen,” he whispers, sounding as broken as I feel. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?” I don’t look at him. I stare at the lines in the wood of the door, trembling almost violently.
“I just meant that it’s possible he wants more and you’re not seeing it. Maybe he’s asking you to stay, not just because you’re good but because he wants you.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“No, it’s just… I’m a man.”
“Bravo.”
“I know he wants you because there isn’t a single man in the world who would get as close to you as he has and not want you.”
I laugh harshly. “And what of every other man that works there? Do they all want me too?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t feel threatened by them because they aren’t the male equivalent of you. Kerim could offer you so much more than I can.”
My body stills. So this is what it all boils down to? “You’re feeling insecure.”
“Aren’t I allowed?”
“Of course, but not at the expense of my mental health or your own,” I snap, finally turning to look at him. He presses his lips to my forehead and wipes away my tears with the back of his hand. “Stop talking about Kerim and I like that. It’s not true and if it is then you have to trust me and know that I would never hurt you like that! I swear it. I wouldn’t touch Kerim.”
“You can’t help who you fall in love with, Gwen,” he snaps, his tone almost mocking. “If you could, do you honestly think you’d be fucking your dead fiancé’s brother? Didn’t you promise Caleb that you’d stay away from me? Yet here we are. How much are your promises truly worth?”
Oh my God.
“You didn’t just say that,” I whisper, feeling devastated. Absolutely devastated. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I’m sorry, I went too far.”
“Oh, no, you went the perfect distance.” I laugh coldly and rip his hand from the door. “I’m leaving.”
“Don’t, please,” he begs, following me out into the cold. “Come back inside.”
“Don’t touch me,” I shout, ripping free from his grip when his hand circles my wrist.
“Please,” he begs, sounding desperate and panicked. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. I didn’t mean it.”
“I can’t take this anymore,” I say quietly, feeling pain in my heart with every stabbing beat.
Pulling open the door to my car, Nathan grabs the top of it to stop me from closing it after I climb in. “I’m sorry.”
“Are you?”
“Don’t go. Come back inside. Let me make it up to you.”
Snort.
“Gwen, I’m begging you.” His voice takes a saddening echo to it. He sounds as close to the verge of tears as I do. “Come back inside. Please. Please.”
“No,” I say, my eyes front and centre. “You’re out of order and I literally can’t stand to be around you right now.”
“Then I’ll stay out of your way. Just don’t go…”
I try to pull the door closed.
“Please.” He goes to grab my arm but the look I hit him with instantly stops his movement in mid-air. “Where will you go?”
