“Lavinia,” I snap with a little too much force, bracketing her upper arms and taking hold of her.
I ease her back, and her mouth falls open in shock.
“Lavinia, this isn’t right. You and me… we’re friends,” I say, softening my voice.
She pats the back of her hair, flustered.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I just thought you needed time. Last year, that incredible night together...”
She looks at me hopefully, but I can’t hide the regret on my face. Regret at hurting her. Regret that that night even happened in the first place.
She takes a step back. “I should go. I’ve clearly remembered events differently than you have.”
“I’m sorry. We should talk about this,” I say, hating myself for the embarrassment taking over her face.
“Another time perhaps. Like you said, it’s late.” She pretends to check her watch and then spins away, striding to the elevators without looking back.
She gets straight inside a waiting one and the doors slide closed.
I contemplate going after her. But what would I say? And anyway, it’s not a conversation for today of all days.
I close the door with a deep sigh.
“I can leave.”
I turn.
Hallie stands behind me with her coat in her hand.
“Excuse me?”
“You can call Lavinia back if that’s the company you need. The distraction. The—” She swallows, looking uneasy. “If that’s what you need tonight.”
“It isn’t.”
She nods but won’t meet my eyes.
“Hallie?”
She still won’t look at me, so I reach for her hand and pull her to my chest. Her coat slips through her fingers and drops to the floor, landing in a heap.
“You know damn well it isn’t,” I growl. “It will never be what I need.Shewill never be what I want.”
We stare at each other, the air growing thick.
Hallie’s eyes drop to my fingers, curled around hers. I loosen my grip but don’t let go.
“Do you want to leave?”
“No,” she whispers.
“Then why were you holding your coat like you want to walk out of here?” I say it like an accusation, unable to hide the undercurrent of hurt in my voice. “Why are you trying to walk out of the door when we both know that you’re exactly where you belong? Here. Withme.”
I let her hand go with a muttered curse. I’m crossing the line between us that she’s trying so hard to maintain.
And I don’t just want to cross it. I want to scrub the damn thing away until no trace of it remains.
“Jesus, Hallie,” I hiss, fisting my hands so I don’t sink them into her hair and pull her lips to mine.
