So he’d lost his mind. That was his only excuse for pushing Sassy against the wall of the Bootleg and pressing his mouth to hers like it belonged there.
Now things between were stilted. Messed up. Awkward as hell.
Nick was furious with himself. Why couldn’t he have just let her win the argument? Why couldn’t he have laughed off that sexy nibbling thing she’d done on his neck and said,Okay. Okay. You’ve made your point.Then at least they wouldn’t have driven home in silence after he practically frickin’ devoured her. After he pressed his body into hers so she could see…so she could feel what her lips, tongue and teeth did to him.
Now she knew. And nowhe knewhow she felt against him. Soft and curvy, sensual and sweet.
He’d found hell. He’d practically leaped there with his own handbasket and presented himself at the gates.’Sup. My name’s Nick. I just kissed my best friend, the most beautiful woman in the world, and effectively ruined my entire life. Bring on the whips and chains.
He’d thought…he’d actually thought for one mind-blowing moment that she’d wanted him—that for the first time his ill-advised feelings for her weren’t unrequited. He’d thought that for the first time he wouldn’t have to hide his body’s reaction to her—the one he’d been choking down for years out of fear and respect.
The truth had sunk in real fast when she’d said nothing to him packing his clothes, grabbing Riot and announcing their departure from her house.
As he approached Zephyr Gallery three days later, his feet slowed. They’d been no calls, no texts, nothing between them.
It was the longest they’d ever gone without talking.
He looked down at the items he’d brought along, hoping they would be enough to get him through the door. Normally, Sassy couldn’t turn down a free lunch.
Things were far from normal, thanks to him, but he had to try. He needed to get back in her good graces, because life without her sucked.
He swung the door to the gallery open before his second thoughts got the better of him and nearly ran into Fletcher.
The man drew up short at the sight of him. “Hey,” he said. “It’s Nick, isn’t it?”
Nick nodded stiffly. The guy had all the wrong vibes. That was something he hadn’t changed his mind about since the Bootleg. “What are you doing here?”
Fletcher jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I was just dropping off the piece Sassy asked for. For the Colton auction?”
Nick lifted his chin in understanding. “So you’re going through with it?”
Fletcher jerked a shoulder. “Why not, if it helps me get through the door? An exhibition at Zephyr Gallery isn’t anything to sniff at. I’m grateful Sassy’s even considering my work for her space.”
“Right,” Nick said. “I hope it works out for you.”
Fletcher smiled thinly. “Thanks. I guess I’ll see you at the fundraiser?”
Nick nodded. “I’ll see you.” He waited until Fletcher made his getaway, following his departure through the glass. He’d left the suit at home this time, at least. Instead, he was wearing dark-washed jeans and Jordans that probably went for five hundred dollars on eBay. Was that a peacoat he was wearing? It was black and double-breasted. Nick wondered how much it had set him back, too.
Fletcher came to a stop on the driver’s side of a parallel-parked Stingray. The car wasn’t at all subtle. Nick watched until Fletcher had driven off before going to find Sassy.
Soledad waved from her position in the main showroom, where she was leading a customer around the current exhibit. He lifted his hand silently then nodded toward the floating staircase up to the second floor.
She nodded before turning her attention back to the customer.
He took the stairs slowly, practicing what he wanted to say in his head.I’m sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am. It was a misstep, a fluke, and it will never happen again. Can we just forget it ever happened and go back to the way things were? I miss you. I miss you so goddamn much, Sassy.
He would get on his knees. He’d grovel, if necessary. Anything to erase the last few days.
He found her behind her desk, wearing the reading glasses she rarely let anyone see. She tapped a pen on the desk as she read through the paperwork in front of her.
Nick tried swallowing past the lump in his throat and gave up before rapping his knuckles against the jamb.
Her eyes lifted from the papers. Behind the glasses, her dark eyes looked overlarge. They widened at the sight of him.
He waited for the smile that normally followed.No dice.
Lifting the brown paper bag in his hand, he said, “Sacrificed a chicken for you.”
