His laugh was warm. Intimate. “Likewise.”
We stared at each other for so long. I swallowed, unsure of how to break the moment.
“So—” He drummed his fingers on the table. An oddly nervous gesture coming from him. “Where does this leave us?”
This was the bit that made my heart want to crack.
I’d sworn to myself kissing Alistair came with a safety net. That I’d never get too deep because I knew it could never be permanent. Weeks ago, that promise had been set in stone. Now, it was like he’d been steadily carving away at that promise with a chisel.
Carve any deeper and he’d find my heart.
Truthfully, I think he already had. Everything felt so tangled, I couldn’t be sure anymore.
Looking at him now, the eagerness in his stare, I realisedI was going to have to put an end to this before it got any more complicated.
“Look.” I stood, carrying my half-eaten plate of food to the kitchen so I didn’t have to look at him. My appetite was gone anyway. “Last night was great. One of the best nights of my life if I’m honest, but I think that’s how we should leave it. I meant what I said about the Cairn & Crust: I’ll ask Heather and if we’re disqualified—”
His chair scraped loudly on the floor. “No.”
I kept my back to him, resolute. “Alistair—”
“Fuck no.” He pulled the plate from my hands. It hit the counter with a clatter. “You’ve worked so hard for this, Isla. Maybe last night was nothing more than a rage-filled fuck for you. I don’t care. Frankly, you’ll just have to get over the inconvenience of spending a few extra hours with your one-night stand. I’m not letting you ruin this for yourself because you’re running scared.”
“Scared?” I flinched. Finally looked at him. His eyes were shards of pale ice.Wait.He was mad at me?“I’m not scared. I just don’t see the point in prolonging this. I’m trying to make this easier on everyone . . . easier for Teddy.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “You have this habit of throwing out Teddy’s name when you really mean you.” He crowded me against the counter, eyes bouncing between mine. “Tell me the truth, Lang. You’re running from this to protect yourself.”
I didn’t get why he was pushing this.
“I’m running?” I shoved him back an inch. “That’s fucking rich considering you’re the one who’s about to tuck tail and leave. Cameron told me you’ve already held interviews for your replacement. I guess congratulations are in order, the patient feedback didn’t matter after all.”
35
Alistair
Despite my best effort not to flinch, Isla’s words lashed like a whip.
Cameron.
Fucking snake.
If I ever had to hear that name again in my life, it would be too soon.
“Wow, your ex has a lot to say all of a sudden. Maybe he should consider starting a podcast.” I hated the ugly sneer I could feel creeping across my face. “What else did he tell you? Nothing good, I take it.” I planted my feet wide, preparing for battle.
Whatever bullshit he’d hissed in her ear, I’d make it right.
I wouldn’t lose her. I couldn’t. There was no digging her out now. Not after last night.
“Multiple things.” She shifted. “He said he . . . he wants me back—”
My laugh was sharp, barked. I should have known. “Of course he did. He’s seen someone playing with his toy anddecided he doesn’t like it. I mean, I guess I can’t be too mad, that was our plan from the very beginning.”
Her eyes flared in appalled outrage. “I’m not a doll to be fought over.”
“You’re only half right, because I’ll fucking fight for you if I have to, Isla. I don’t care how we started – you’re mine.”
It sounded just as bad aloud as it did in my head. But it also felt like the truth. I was her person, and she was mine.
