“I’m well aware of your version of friendship.” Scoffing, I step back, putting distance between us.
“Jenny,” he coos.
“It’s Jensen. Not Jenny,” I say, my jaw tight.
“Wait”—he tilts his head—"Are you truly angry with me?”
“Yes… No… Ugh…” I cringe.
“Which is it?”
Eyes closed, I slosh a breath. “Both.”
My insides are a boondoggle of emotions. I’m angry and disappointed. At him, sure, but mostly at me. I’m disappointed that I fell for him. I’m angry that despite everything that I still care that he hasn’t reached out to me in the last six days.
“I think I’m more mad at me than you…” My shoulders slump with the hard sigh that rolls through me. “Though I don’t appreciate the comparison to Jenny Wren. I’m not your—or anyone else’s—inspirational porn.”
“The comparison is meant to be complimentary,” he says, affronted.
“It’s not. It’s patronizing.”
“I thought you liked the nickname.”
“I don’t.” Indignation roils inside me.
This is a played-out song that I’ve heard time and time again.You inspire me. You’re amazing. Blah, blah, blah…It’s tiresome to serve as inspiration porn for others. Especially from a man I wanted to see me as something else entirely.
“You never… If I had known…” he says softly.
I rub my temples. “I know. I didn’t say anything.”
“Why?”
I motion between us. “Because I liked when you called me Jenny… Until I knew who Jenny Wren was. Part of me thought…” I shake my head.
“Thought what?”
“That I was special.” My admission is quiet.
“You are. Jen… Jensen, please forgive me.” He steps close, placing his hand on my upper arm. “I care about you.”
“Did you care about her when you ditched her at the bar?” A deep bass booms into the room.
“Excuse me?” Miles spins.
Blinking, I turn my head toward the voice. “Garrett? What are you doing here? You’re twenty minutes early.”
“I had a meeting at the medical school today,” he says as if that explains everything.
“Bloke, what was that ditched her comment about?” Miles says.
“I think you know,” Garrett grits, his words pointed like spears aimed and ready for attack.
“Enlighten me.”
Garrett stalks closer, anger radiating off him. “You got her to stay with you at the bar and then deserted her… Does that enlighten you?”
“Garrett.” His name is a warning from my lips.
