“Poor you. Life’s hard, isn’t it?”
“Don’t tease.” She grinned. “You have no idea what I deal with on a daily basis.” She nodded at his splint. “How did you hurt yourself?”
“I punched a wall.”
“Ooh. I never pegged you as a violent man.”
“I’m not.”
“And what made you want to punch a wall?”
He shook his head, not wanting to get into it.
“There are only so many reasons a man would cause harm to himself. Guilt, shame, love. Or maybe the lack of it. So which one is it?”
Alex stared at the pool deck.
“Ah, so we’re not talking about it. That’s okay.” Rose scooted closer and turned her attention toward the pool as well. “I love what you’ve done with the pool.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s a beautiful night and the water looks inviting. I see your splint is removable. Care to take a dip with me?”
“I don’t feel like swimming.”
“Who said anything about swimming?”
Alex looked at his lap.
“There’s something different about you tonight, Alex.”
“Same as I’ve ever been.”
“No, there’s definitely something. You look…lonely.”
“Look around, Rose. I’m surrounded by friends.” His flat voice didn’t sound convincing.
“Of course, you are. And you know as well as I do the loneliest place in the world is often a crowded room, where everyone is watching your every move.”
A male guest at the bar held up his glass, in a silent toast to Rose. He looked her up and down as he drank.
“They’re watching you tonight, not me.”
“Boring.” She rolled her eyes. “Talk to me, Alex. Tell me why you have that whole Byronic hero thing going on.”
“I don’t.”
“Now, now. I recognize a tortured hero when I see one. Didn’t anyone ever tell you? Women love damaged goods. Ask any woman here and she’d offer to take you home so she could fix you.”
“Is that what you want? To fix these damaged goods?”
“Not at all. I mean, don’t get me wrong. The dark circles under your eyes are mighty appealing, but I’m not tender-hearted enough to think I can repair you. I’d really just rather fuck you.”
There was a time when Alex might have been shocked by her candor.
Not anymore.
The man at the bar started walking toward them. Alex inclined his head. “You’re about to get a similar offer.”
