Hope had no time to hide her horrified expression. How could she not remember saying all that?
“Wh-what?”
“You said this limp dick made you lose your job and your reputation. How?”
Suddenly he was calm again. The nonbloodshot eye stared at her intently.
“Limp dick… really? Surely you’ve grown out of words like that?” She turned away and reached for her bag.
“Hope, talk to me.”
He was beside her suddenly. His hand was on her arm, turning her to face him. Hope made herself look up at him. Made herself ignore the fierce tug of attraction she’d always felt for him.
“There is nothing to say. I was drunk and rambling. So don’t try your Mary Poppins act on me.”
“Mary Poppins act?”
“Do-gooding. Always being polite and helping people. What’s with that anyway?” Hope said, wanting to deflect. “You didn’t get enough attention at home, you have to make up for it by being Mr. Nice Guy? The go-to man?”
She’d been attempting to distract him from the subject of Jay and how because of him her life had imploded, and maybe she was also needling him a little. After all, that was how they worked. Never miss an opportunity to poke at each other. She hadn’t meant be cruel, but the look on his face told her she had hit a nerve. His face tightened and he looked troubled, and then it was gone.
“Newman—”
He cut through her words. “Helping people makes you feel good, you should give it a shot sometime.”
The quiet words were more cutting than if he’d yelled at her.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude after everything you’ve done for me. It’s just that I don’t usually….” Her words fell away because she wasn’t entirely sure how to finish the sentence.
“Don’t usually have people around who help you? Don’t have friends? Don’t communicate with anyone like a normal human?”
“I’m normal!” His words stung, and Hope thought payback was a bitch. It seemed they could no longer just fire barbs at each other like they once had, and remain unscathed.
“I’m sorry, that was unfair. Of course you’re normal.”
She didn’t answer that, but saw by his look that she hadn’t needed to. Hope hated pity, hated it more than anything, because she’d had enough growing up to last her through this lifetime and the next.
“So tell me about this Herald? I know you were scared and telling the truth when you talked about him and what he’s done to you. Even if I could only make out every second or third word. You don’t make a good drunk, FYI.”
She shook her arm free.
“My life. My business.”
“Try again,” he said.
“I have to go.” Hope went into the bathroom and closed the door, then locked it in case he decided to follow her. She pulled on her underwear, then wriggled into her wet clothes, which was unpleasant as they stuck to her like a second skin. Bracing her hands on the vanity, she looked in the mirror.You can do this. Walk out there, collect your things, and leave. Tough girl act, remember. It’s what you do best.
He’d pulled on his loafers, and was strapping on an expensive-looking watch.
“That would probably feed a third world country.” Hope went on the defensive when she was off-balance.
“Nah, not this one. But the gold one, now that would probably feed two third world countries,” he drawled.
“It’s important to care,” Hope snapped. “There are so many issues we are dealing with that need funds. This is the only planet we have, you should want to save it.”
“I read that on a billboard the other day.” He was pushing his wallet and phone into the back pocket of his jeans. Jeans that sat low on his hips, and hugged all the right places, Hope couldn’t help but notice.
“How can you be so cavalier about this, Newman? The issues are real.”
