She shook her head like he’d lied to her. “No. You take her side on everything. You’d rather talk to her about…everything than me. When she’s not here, you miss her like you’ll never see her again. Even when you’re busy, you make sure to give her the few minutes you have, while I’m always made to wait.”
True. All of it.
And he was beginning to see why none of his relationships went anywhere.
“I can barely get you to keep a dinner date lately.” Also true.
He’d neglected her. All the fights they’d had lately proved that. “I’ve been working like crazy. You knew it would be like this when your father nominated me for the board position. You not only supported it, you talked him into it, didn’t you?” Still, not a great defense. He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck and tight muscles.
She held her arms rigid at her sides. “Yes, I did, because I knew you’d be great at it. I wanted to help you reach your full potential.” Her voice grew louder with each word.
He scoffed. “You wanted me to look even more appealing to all your friends you’re trying to impress. And your parents.” He gave her ayou know it and I know itlook.
Her blue eyes narrowed. “It’s not like you’re not benefiting from it, too,” she snapped.
“You’re right.” He held his arms out, then let them fall, regret replacing his habit of pleading his case. “I’ve tried to be what you need me to be with the limited time we spend together.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “We’d spend more time together if we lived together. If we were married.” She dropped her arms. “But you don’t want to have that conversation. So I’m left to wait. For you.” She waved her arm at him, then touched her chest. “For what I want.”
He wasn’t ready to take that step with her. “I’m doing the best I can. I thought you knew at least that.”
“What I know is that something has changed between you andher, and I don’t like it.” She pressed her hand over her heart. “You humiliated me tonight. You and she snuck away while I endured the stares and raised eyebrows. How could you?”
He felt bad about that. “I didn’t know I was going to do anything like that. I didn’t intend to hurt you. I didn’t intend to kiss her like that.”
“But you did.”
It just happened, because in the moment he couldn’t stop himself. He hadn’t wanted to. “Yes. I did. And I’m sorry I hurt you.”
It was like he hadn’t even spoken as she spoke right over him.
“What’s worse is you don’t even seem sorry about it.”
“I am sorry.” Didn’t he just say that? And he meant it. But he wouldn’t take it back. He’d never forget that kiss. And as much of a bastard as it made him, he wanted another.
And another.
And another.
“You love me.”
She and Brooke both told him how he felt about Kristi tonight.
Funny thing was, he’d never told Kristi he loved her. She assumed based on their relationship that he did. Up until tonight, even he thought he did.
Then why didn’t you ever say it?
His silence set her off.
“You unbelievably arrogant asshole. You really think I’ll dismiss this and just go on with you like nothing happened.”
“No. Things have been strained between us for a while.” Since he took the board position and got even busier. “I’m sorry that a lot of it is because of me. I’m not sure what I can do about it.”
She studied him for a long moment, letting his statement stand like a wall between them. Then her eyes went wide. “I knew all along you cared about her. Loved her even. But it’s not just her who’s changed. Something changed for you, too, tonight. You’re in love with her.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Is it?
