“In my defense, you told me he was leaving, and he didn’t. Why was he staying if he had no reason to think you might change your mind?”
“I don’t know why he stayed and I don’t care. The point is, he’s going. Today or tomorrow. And I’m going to work out of Redbird’s facility in Bozeman for a time.”
What the hell? “You’re quitting Marietta?”
“No, I’m taking some time away and another flight nurse will take my place. She’s going to work with you and I’ll work with whoever needs me, but I’ll be based out of Bozeman for a while. I’ll be able to commute so I won’t need to find lodging in Bozeman.”
“You can’t even work with me? Do you hate me that much?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t hate you at all. This is a temporary move. I need time, Connor. Time away from…everyone so that I can think about what’s best for me.”
Time away from him, she meant. “This is all because I got jealous of your ex-husband when you wouldn’t tell him to get lost. And because I got bent out of shape when you refused to move in with me.” And to top it off, now he’d found her hugging the man.
“No, it’s partly because you won’t listen to me. And partly because I’m not ready to be serious. We fell into this relationship so quickly that I couldn’t even catch my breath.”
“So this is it. We’re over.”
“That’s not what I said or what I want. I just need some time.”
“Fine. But don’t expect me to be waiting around like a schmuck when you finally get your head together.” He knew he was overreacting but he was so pissed he didn’t care.
“You want to date others.”
“Why shouldn’t I? If you’re going to do this then we need to break up. You date whoever you want and so will I.” But he had no desire to go out with anyone other than Sierra, damn it. And he knew it would kill him to hear about Sierra with another man.
“Is that what you want? To break up?”
“Hell, no. I’m in love with you. But you don’t feel the same. You’re changing jobs, for God’s sake.”
“Temporarily.”
“I should have known this would happen. You told me from the first you wanted a casual relationship. I think you said ‘exclusive but casual.’ I’m the dumbass who fell in love and wanted to change the rules.”
“Connor, I still care about you. I don’t want to break up. I just need some time.”
“Sorry. That’s not going to work for me.” He strode to the door and opened it. He had to leave before he completely lost it. He was hanging on to his temper by a thread.
He walked out the door without speaking again. Neither did she. Beneath the anger was the sick feeling that he’d known better than to fall in love again. It never worked out. Not for him, anyway.
