“She didn’t know about that until after we had left? After we had spent the afternoon together?”
My shoulders hitch toward my ears, creating an ache down my back. “When exactly was I supposed to tell her?”
“Not after the fact like that! As soon as you knew she’d meet us, you should’ve told her.”
“You two are the ones who dropped by unannounced!”
The two of them murmur to each other, but I catch Jane saying, “Well he probably didn’t deliver it in the most gracious way either.”
“Fuck off.”
“Watch it,” Nikolai warns. “What happened after you told her?”
I rub my jaw. “She was pissed, got dressed, and left.”
“Got dressed, as in, you guys had sex after we left?” Jane asks.
“And that’s your business…why?”
I can practically hear her eyes roll. “Because, she was probably feeling all vulnerable after that, and then you had to go and drop that bomb on her after she spent time hanging out with us. She’s young, and doesn’t seem like she’s had a lot of experience with men besides you, am I right?”
How the hell does Jane know that after spending just a few hours with her? Annoyed that she’s right, I simply say, “And?”
“And that probably made her feel insecure, and instead of reassuring her that she’s the only one you want, I’m sure you just got pissed right back. Am I right again?”
I respond by hanging up the phone.
31
Aspen
I’ve broken two mugs so far at work today, much to the dissatisfaction of Kevin. But I think he could tell by the look on my face that this wasn’t the time to scold me for it. When I walked in earlier, he took one look at me and said, “Rough night?”
You could say that.
I didn’t end up salvaging my night with my friends as hard as I tried. Not the drinks, not the company, not the distractions could get my mind off of my argument with Reid. When I told my friends about it, they at least all understood and validated my feelings about the whole thing. That made me feel slightly better.
Reid tried calling me this morning before work, but I still don’t want to talk to him. Not yet. I know I said some hurtful things to him, but I don’t know if I’m ready to apologize and mean it.
Not while I still can’t stop thinking about Jane and him interacting all afternoon, me sitting right there in the mix,and having no idea about their history.
Especially not when she’s so beautiful and probably experienced and I’m…
Nope. I cut off that train of thought.
“I’m going to unload the new shipments. You good up here?” Kevin asks, breaking me out of my stupor. I’ve been wiping down all the tables, but who knows how long I’ve been standing at this one, frozen in thought.
“Yeah. All good,” I call out. There’s barely anyone here yet anyway. Although, hopefully that’ll change tonight. Kevin is trying out a trivia night in hopes of getting some more traffic through here.
God, I’m dreading that. Usually I’d be excited at the prospect of more customers, more tips. But for once, I could use a quiet night.
The smell of bleach fills my nose as I continue wiping down all the tables in the place. I go to switch out my bucket of water when the door chimes.
Speak of the fucking devil.
Reid walks in, long legs quickly eating up the space between us. His face is determined, and I’m surprised that I’msurprisedthat he’s here. He knew I’m working today. And if I wasn’t going to answer his calls or texts, he’s not the kind of guy to just take that and give me space.
I drop the water bucket with a heavy thud in the sink, taking my time to ring out the cloth and hang it over the side. Then I wash my hands, lathering up the soap. The entire time, I feel his gaze on my back like a brand. But he doesn’t say anything. Waits patiently.
