I don’t want it to be true.
His features tighten, and he tilts his head, his anger starting to pull him under. “Say it,” he grits out.
My eyes fill with tears. Do I even need to say it? “You promised me—”
“Say it!” his voice booms, cutting me off as he steps toward me.
My nostrils flare, and I hold his eyes, unable to look away. “Did you have a hand in selling my studio?” I ask, my voice strong and clear.
Silence fills the penthouse. My heartbeat the only sound.
“No.” He tightens his jaw. Sharp. Deadly.I don’t want to hate him. “I had theonlyhand.Isold it.”But I do.
“Why?” my voice betrays me, cracking as I utter the word.
Lifting my chin, I don’t allow the hurt to show nor my tears to fall. He’s already taken too much of me.
I won’t give him another inch.
He runs a hand down his face. “You wouldn’t understand. I never meant for this—”
“Did you only show interest in me because of the piano?”
“What? No!”
“Why, then?” I snap, my body visibly trembling.
“Nina, please, there’s not a simple answer.”
“Fucking try me!” I yell, feeling my emotions slipping as I plead with him not to fuck this up any more than he already has.
“I can’t.”
“What?” I utter, my shoulders dropping.
“Mason, come on, lad.” Vinny steps forward, his voice laced with warning.
I’d almost forgotten he was there.
“Fuck off, Vinny!”
“You need to tell her the truth. You can tell her the truth.”
“Leave!” Mason growls, his face turning a deep shade of red.
“Don’t bother,” I tell Vinny, pulling the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder. “I’mleaving.”
I stare into Mason’s eyes, searching for the man I know is in there but continues to shut me out.
I go to move past him, but he grabs my upper arm, pulling me into him. “You’re getting good at this. Running.”
“And every time I run, you seem to cut me that little bit deeper.”
I see the turmoil in his eyes: the fear, the guilt, the anger and pain. I made a decision months ago to be that someone for him.
To stand beside him.
“You’re making it impossible for me to love you.”
