"You asshole!" I snap and yank my hand free.
A scoff comes from beside us, and this time I don'tgive the old woman a smile. My mood is effectively ruined, so everyone gets a glare today.
Jamie releases my straw, licks his plump lips, and slides the dewy cup back to me. "Feisty this morning," he murmurs.
I sigh and slump into my chair. Being called out for my crappy attitude always makes me feel worse. I never used to be like this—so quick to anger. Pushing Jamie away is for the best. How do I get him to see that?
"What do you want, Jamie? I'm trying to work." Even I can hear the defeat in my voice.
He frowns at me and leans forward. "I came in for a cold brew, saw your beautiful face, and remembered that my messages asking how your trip was went ignored. So, thought I'd ask face to face."
Why does he care?I keep that question to myself though because the last time I said something along those lines, Jamie went off on an angry rant. For some reason, he can't come to terms with the fact that we're nothing more than a good time.
"It was great," I respond, giving him only a smidgen of what he wants. "That all?"
"Jesus, Violet," he says, leaning away from the table with a hurt look. "That's all you have to say to me after being gone for two weeks?"
I'm honestly confused now. "What do you mean? I've been doing this traveling job for years, Jamie. Why are you so upset?"
He just stares at me. My heart thunders away in my chest as my discomfort skyrockets in response to his rising disappointment.
"Right," he grunts, shuttering his expression. Jamie stands and tells me to have a good day.
I watch him with my heart in my throat as he orders at the counter. My eyes follow his every move as he pays, receives his coffee, and leaves the cafe.
Swallowing multiple times, I try really freaking hard to shake off that encounter. I miss when Jamie would just flirt with me. His sexual innuendos are always off the charts spicy. Why does he have to push me like this?
Sure, I play the dense asshat to his face and whenever Cassidy questions what I'm doing. The truth is that Idohave feelings, and most of them are really awful to deal with.
I'm not stupid, but I am a little confused.
Hurting Jamie isn't something I want to do, but we both agreed on what we are. I hate that he's changing our dynamic. Even if I decline and avoid, he's still ruining everything.
I'm afraid it's time for me to put a complete stop to what we're doing. Seeing him so upset and disappointed in me all the time is taking its toll. I don't have more to give him.
This is me. Detached, aloof, a little rude, and incredibly sad. He doesn't need this shit. I should end it with him.
So, if that's the best option for both of us, why does it hurt so much to even imagine?
Three
VIOLET
My third lemon drop shot goes down easier than the first two. I decided on the way here that it was going to be a four shot and water in between kind of night.
The torrent of emotions running through me after my unfortunate meeting with Jamie this morning left me feeling off-kilter. I know from experience that when I'm feeling this way, getting trashed is the last thing I should do.
Cassidy doesn't need to hold my hair back tonight or catch me from faceplanting the minute we step outside. I'm thankful her other friend joined us tonight so I'm not completely on the hook for hanging out with her.
The fact that I can't fully enjoy my night because of Jamie throwing me off twelve hours ago has me feeling a little bitter.
"You okay, sweetie?"
"Ugh," I groan, looking up at the cute bartender. "That nickname is off limits."
He laughs like I'm telling a joke. I'm not, and I don't get where everyone sees this "sweet" side. Maybe I look younger than I feel.
"Alright," the bartender says. He's nice to look at, but not my type. "You okay though? You're crying on my bar."
