Damn him to hell.
* * *
Flash
Jesus, she was evenmore gorgeous than the last time I’d seen her. Her new curves were showcased in the pencil skirt that fell just below her knees, along with the silk green blouse that worked perfectly for her skin. Her freckles did me in, however. I wanted to kiss every single one, starting with the one on the corner of her upper lip.
After she drove away, I went back to the front door and rang the bell. I knew Hayden was home alone, I just hoped she’d answer the door.
She did.
“What, Flash?” she demanded.
“What time’s Tate due home?”
“I don’t know, I’m not her secretary.”
“That’s the way it’s gonna be?” I asked.
Hayden shrugged. “Until Tate says otherwise, damn straight it’s the way it’s gonna be.”
I sighed. “At least give me a timeframe.”
“She has a job interview, Flash. In Portland. I have no idea how long it will take or if she’ll hit traffic on the way home, so I can’t give you a timeframe.” She rolled her eyes. “Not that I would anyway.”
I fisted my hands at my side and took a deep breath. “I don’t know what you think you know, but let me assure you, it’s fuckin’ wrong.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I have been sworn to secrecy, so I cannot tell you exactly what I think of you. Total bummer for me.”
“So me asking you to text me when Tate gets home isn’t gonna happen?”
She slammed the door, and I was left staring at wood.
I turned and jogged the block and a half to my parents’, walking inside and heading to the kitchen. Mom was at the island, sipping a cup of tea, while Dad stood at the stove stir-frying veggies.
“Hi, love, this is a nice surprise.”
I walked over to my mother and kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, love, thank you.”
Dad gave me a chin lift. “Where you been?”
I sat on the stool beside Mom. “Trying to get Tate to forgive me.”
“How’d that go?” Mom asked.
“About as bad as I thought it would.”
She reached over and cupped my face. “Sorry, darling.”
“You still gonna try?” Dad asked.
“Yeah.”
He grinned. “Proud of you, kid.”
“Don’t speak too soon,” I retorted. “Plenty of time to fuck it up even worse.”
