“Yeah, he was. And you weren’t doing much to discourage him.”
“That’s not fair. I told him you and I were involved.” When he didn’t say anything she said, “Can we just forget this? I’m starving. Do you want to get dinner?”
“No. I’m going out to the ranch to help Liam.”
“Oh, with the horses?”
“No, with a crib.”
She waited for him to ask her if she wanted to go with him, but he didn’t. Fine, he was obviously still irritated with her. She was a bit irritated herself. “Tell Liam and Val hi.” She left without another word.
Sierra had a foolish inclination to cry. They were having an argument. No, not even an argument. A tiff. They weren’t breaking up. But she knew she needed to send Phil away for good. In no uncertain terms. This indecision on her part wasn’t fair to Connor and it wasn’t fair to her either.
*
The last fewdays he and Sierra had been busy with work and while he’d seen her, gone out with her a few times, and made love with her several times, it wasn’t enough. He sensed a reserve in her that hadn’t been there before. Not that she wasn’t as passionate as she’d ever been but there was something different about her that he couldn’t put his finger on. Or maybe he was just paranoid and imagining things.
Her damn ex-husband was still in town and still talking about moving to Marietta. He didn’t hear about the possible move from Sierra. They didn’t discuss her ex. But he heard about it from everyone else, both at work and at other times. In fact, every time he walked into Grey’s or the coffee shop someone just had to bring it up.
He could and probably should just ask her what was going on. She wasn’t the type to string him along, but still, she’d never told him she loved him. She seemed content to go on as they had been. Having fun but nothing more serious. And he’d been careful to not mention the L word again. Which nearly made him laugh. Who’d have thought he’d have problems tryingnotto mention love? Of course, it was hard to fall in love with someone when you never were with them more than a time or two.
But then came Sierra and his caution went out the window.
At least she hadn’t gone out with her ex. That he knew of and he’d have heard. Everyone in Marietta would have told him, just as they had when they discovered the other man was talking about moving to town. Connor knew damn good and well her ex had asked her out. Sometimes he worried the guy was wearing her down and it wouldn’t be long before she was dating him again. Damn it.
Maybe he was being overly paranoid. But the fact was, the man was still in town. If Sierra had shut him down then why was he still here? And if she hadn’t shut him down why the hell was she still with Connor? She’d been married to the man for ten years, happily for most of it, from what he’d gathered. It was only the last couple of years that the relationship had turned sour. Could Sierra forget and forgive?
That evening when their shift was over Connor decided he’d had enough. He didn’t say anything to Sierra until after work when they both pulled into the parking garage at their apartment complex.
“I thought you told me your ex would only be in town for a short time.”
“I did. He should be leaving soon.” She walked up the stairs to her apartment with Connor following.
“If he came to town to get you back, which is what everyone says is happening, and if you shot him down why is he still here? And why am I still hearing that he might move to Marietta?”
She opened her door and walked in, then tossed her stuff on the coffee table and her coat over a chair. “We’re divorced. I don’t keep track of everything Phil does or says.”
“So you haven’t heard that he’s thinking of moving here?”
“I didn’t hear it from him. You know how rumors are. There’s no way to know if it’s even true. I’m not asking him because I don’t care what he does.”
“You’re just fine with him moving here, then?”
“I didn’t say that. No, I’m not good with him moving here.”
“He wouldn’t be thinking of moving here if he didn’t believe he has a chance with you.”
She huffed out a breath and put her hands on her hips. “I thought we’d gotten past this. I don’t want him. You know that. You know I care about you. Why are we still arguing about Phil?”
“Because he’s still here and he’s still hitting on you. Obviously you’ve been easy on him.” Whereas Connor wanted to punch him.
“You’re making a big deal out of something that shouldn’t matter. Phil and I are divorced. Over. Finito. That’s that.”
“Is it? Why is he still hanging around then?”
“I have no idea. I told you, he’s supposed to leave any day now. I’ve told him to go often enough.” She watched him pace. “If we’re going to have this argument you might as well take off your jacket and sit down.”
He took off his jacket and threw it on the same chair that held hers. “I don’t want to sit down.”
