“I don’t need your goddamn charity! Go be charitable to someone else,” I hissed.
“Where’s the fun in that when you respond so graciously?” he laughed.
“Tell me how much it was and I will pay in the office,” I ordered, my teeth practically grinding together in aggravation. I didn’t want to feel indebted to him in any way.
Braden crossed his arms, his muscles flexing, distracting me from my anger for a moment. He leaned against the car he’d been working on, a devious glint to his deep blue eyes that immediately set me on edge and aroused me, despite my best efforts to remain angry and unresponsive. “If you want to thank me, let me take you out for dinner.”
“Dinner?” I frowned, the confusion I felt apparent on my face.
“Yeah, you know…the final big meal of the day, usually the best. Happens anywhere from five until eight, depending on the people and the schedule,” his smirk widened. It was obvious that Braden was having a blast toying with me.
“I know what dinner is, smart ass,” I growled, my skin hot and my mood aggravated. “I just don’t know why you’re trying to blackmail me into going out for dinner with you.”
His expression softened as a yearning replaced the deviousness in his eyes. His lips loosened from their taunting smile, easing into a gentle one. “I already told you, I want a chance to explain…and apologize.”
We stood there, staring at each other for several long beats as I contemplated my options. On the one hand, it seemed that Bradenreallywanted a chance to explain himself. In all the years we’d been apart, I’d never heard a whisper of an explanation. On the other hand, I was with Alex, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him in a quest to find out why a relationship that had been over for years had ended. I should be over it. I told myself for years I was, hell…I was with someone else now.
I had a feeling I’d never be able to let Braden Miller go if I indulged him and let him explain his reasoning. I was afraid that I’d understand, and that I’d forgive him. I’d been down this road once before.
But something was pulling me to him. We were like two magnets, drawn to each other without rhyme or reason. It was the same pull that had attracted me to him in the first place. It hadn’t lessened at all in the time we’d spent apart. If anything, it had grown stronger, and I was terrified to test that theory. It would only end in heartbreak and sorrow. Braden’s, mine, or Alex’s—it didn’t matter. I didn’t want anybody else getting hurt.
“Well? You gonna give me an answer so I can get back to work, or are you just going to stand there and look at me like that all day? Cause if it’s the latter, I won’t be able to stop myself from pressing you against that truck and kissing you until I make up your mind for you.”
“You really expect me to say yes after that?” I frowned, my heart pounding in response to his threat.
Braden chuckled as he turned back to his project. He picked up the wrench, looking at me briefly before he looked back at the engine. “You’re going to say yes and hear me out, because I know you want to. You’re just hesitating because you can’t trust yourself around me.”
“I trust myself around you just fine,” I retorted, scowling.Lies, lies, lies.“I just don’t trustyourintentions.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t,” Braden looked up, that devious grin back in place. “But that’s not going to stop you from saying yes—because you’re not a coward, Elle. You’ve never been afraid to face things before, so why would you start now?”
Goddamn him. “Fine. I’ll go out for dinner with you. But you’re wrong.”
“We’ll see. I’ll pick you up at seven tonight,” Braden grinned, not looking up again.
“I’ll drive myself, thank you,” I said, turning around and heading out of the garage.
“You don’t know where we’re going, and I’m not telling you. So, be ready at seven,” he called after me, the amusement evident in his voice.
I knew arguing with Braden would just be a waste of my time—and his. Once he got an idea in his head, it was impossible trying to talk him out of it. Instead, I bit my tongue as I walked over to my Camry. I could see Melissa peeking her head out the office window, a scowl glued to her face.
I waved at her, giving a catty smile that matched her disdain towards me. I didn’t know what I’d done to get her to act the way she did, but considering she was already pissed off at me, I might as well drop the nice act myself. I never really had the patience to fake relationships. People either loved me or they hated me, and vice versa. I wasn’t outright rude to people intentionally, but I also didn’t stand for passive aggressive bitchiness. I was more in-your-face bitchy, especially if someone was treating me or someone I loved poorly.
I slammed my car door, and shoved my key into the ignition. The car purred to life, sounding better than ever. My eyes darted to my rear view mirror, and I caught a glimpse of Braden, as he watched me peel out of the parking lot.
My mind refused to shut off the entire ride back to my house. Mom’s truck was still gone, so I didn’t bother pulling up the driveway. Instead, I headed to the Armstrong’s farm. Maybe Tessa would have a few minutes to listen to me bitch and moan about Braden before we all went shopping.
Just as I was pulling up the Armstrong’s driveway, my cell phone rang. I fished it out of my purse and answered it—a total no-no when driving, but I was on private property and the only danger I faced was running into the ditch or perhaps one of Bill’s cows (which in hindsight, wouldn’t be very good for the coworforme).
“Hello?”
“Hey babe, it’s me. Just checking in,” Alex’s voice rang through the speaker. His voice had a magical way of soothing and relaxing me. It was the chamomile tea of voices.
“Hey, how are you?” I bit my lip, thinking about the plans I’d made with my ex-boyfriend for dinner.
“I’m good, missing my girl. What are you up to today?” he asked. I knew he was smiling. Alex was always smiling and rarely ever moody. If Braden was a stormy sea, Alex was the calm lake.
“I’m just about to drag my mom away from Tessa’s dad to go dress shopping, actually,” I told him. I hesitated for a moment on telling him about meeting Braden for dinner.
