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“Sure.” I smiled, unable to say no. Especially not with how excited he looked. Damnit. Why couldn’t I feel something for him? It would make my life a hell of a lot easier. But no. Instead, I could only have feelings for my emotionally unavailable boss who had no issue pretending he never slept with me.
“Will you excuse me?” I asked, standing. “I have to run to the restroom first.”
Keeping my eyes trained on the floor, I walked to the back of the restaurant, through a dimly lit hallway, and shut myself intothe restroom. Once there I let out a huge breath and the tension in my shoulders eased. Standing in front of the mirror, I gripped the marble countertop and stared back at my reflection.
“You can do this. It’s only one drink.” My pep talk was lackluster, but I still felt the need to try. I hadn’t given Liam a fair chance, not with Nathan hanging around all evening. Maybe I couldn’t feel anything because my nerves were on such high alert. I owed it to both of us to at least have one more drink with him. If I felt nothing after that, then I’d have to let him down easy.
Using my fingers, I combed through my waves before opening the door back to the hallway.
I gasped and froze as a figure towered in front of me.
“What are you doing?” I asked, not sure if I felt more shock, irritation, or desire at his presence.
Who was I kidding? It was the latter as much as it killed me to admit.
“That guy?Really?” Nathan hissed.
I crossed my arms. “That’s absolutely none of your business.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that?”
My mouth hung open in disbelief. “What’s wrong with him?” I sputtered, struggling to keep my composure.
“What does he have that I don’t?” he demanded.
He likes me for one, I thought bitterly.
His intense gaze made it difficult for me to meet his eyes, yet I couldn't bring myself to look away.
“Excuse me,” I muttered, trying to brush past him. Nathan threw out his arm, blocking my exit.
I glared up at him. “Are you actually not letting me leave?”
His behavior had passed the point of bizarre hours ago.
“Yes—fuck. No.” He removed his hand and raked it through his hair. “I don’t understand why you’re here with him.”
“And I don’t understand why you care.”
His jaw clenched. “You seriously have no idea?”
Something gripped at my chest at the earnestness in his voice.
“You said we should pretend like nothing happened between us,” I whispered.
“No,yousaidwe should pretend like nothing happened!” he exclaimed, clearly not caring if we drew attention to ourselves. “I could hardly get a word out before you sprang for the door.”
His genuine frustration shocked me. Was he actually jealous I was here with Liam? The whole idea seemed like some absurd fantasy I had whipped up in my head.
“Exactly,” I continued. “You said nothing.”
“I was thinking,” he said, his voice rising.
“About how best to let me down.”
“About how to make youmine.” He moved closer to me so only inches separated us.
I blinked up at him a few times, trying to absorb his words.
