by Lila Kane
“I’m saying this isn’t working.”
“It’s working pretty damn well for me.” He glanced around, and I could tell he was strategizing, trying to decide what to say. How to say it. “Charlotte, maybe we should go upstairs.”
“You won’t listen to me up there,” I murmured. And that was at least partially the truth. He’d listen to the tone of my voice instead of my words, and he’d know I wasn’t committed to what I was saying. And then he’d try to convince me otherwise. If I didn’t stay strong, I’d probably let him.
He curled his hand on top of the table, inches from mine. “I’m listening now.”
I tucked my hands in my lap. “I can’t do this. Us. We can’t be together.”
“Charlotte—”
“You said you were listening.”
“I am but you don’t really mean what you’re saying.”
I stood, clenching my hands together to keep them from shaking. “Do not tell me I don’t mean what I’m saying.”
“That’s not—Charlotte, wait.” Finn got out of his seat and reached out for me.
When I narrowed my eyes at him, he gritted his teeth and pocketed his hands. “Don’t do this,” he said.
“Finn, please. Let’s not make this harder than it has to be. We still have to work together. It’s—”
“Bullshit. Like I said before. This is ridiculous.” He ran a hand through his hair. “No, wait—don’t go. Okay, listen.”
My heart cracked a little at the plea in his tone. His face softened and he stepped up to me. If he touched me, I might break. I’d break down and let myself be wrapped in his arms.
“Something is going on and I can only imagine what.” His jaw clenched. He held my gaze. “But you have to know you can trust me.”
“Finn, it’s not about trust. It’s about what’s best for both of us.”
“Now you’re trying to speak for me. You have no idea what’s best for me.”
I squared my shoulders. I had to go soon. I couldn’t keep this up. “You’re right. I have no idea what’s best for you but I know what’s best for me. This is over.”
His entire body froze, even the expression on his face. It almost looked like he hadn’t heard me. Until his eyes dropped.
“You said you were falling in love with me,” he said.
My heart broke. I had. And I’d meant it. And that was probably the biggest thing keeping him from believing me right now. I wouldn’t believe me either.
“It’s still not working,” I said.
“We can work on it, then.”
“No, we can’t. Let’s be professional. Let’s do our jobs. That’s all we need to do.”
He shook his head. “Charlotte.”
“I’m done, Finn.” I took a step back. My eyes burned with tears, throat ached with emotion. “I need to go.”
“Charlotte,” he said again, voice only a whisper.
I forced myself to ignore it. Forced myself to walk by him, nod to Curtis, and head straight for my apartment. If I broke down in there, no one would know. I could curl up with the pain in my heart and sleep. Or cry. Or both.
Until I made a new plan.
Curtis and I didn’t speak. I had no doubt he’d seen what happened but I didn’t care anymore. The more believable I made this, the better chance I had of throwing Mark off.
Inside my apartment, I set my purse on the table by the door. My phone rang from within and I pulled it out, already knowing who was on the other end.
“Hello, Charlotte,” Mark said when I answered. “You did a good job.”
“I did what you asked. Leave my family and my friends alone.”
His laugh made chills race up my arms. “Feisty. I’ve often wondered what kind of person you’ve grown into, Charlotte. And I have to admit, I like a little spunk. But you’d better keep your mouth shut. No one needs to know we’ve been talking. You keep it that way and everyone will be safe.”
“I didn’t tell anyone anything. I just…” I swallowed and told him the truth. “I want this to be over.”
“So do I. But I have to lay low until things settle. But don’t worry, I’ll be around. I’ll still be watching. And soon…” His voice went soft. Almost wistful. “We’ll be together.”
Cringing, I waited for him to end the call. I’d never get back together with him. But he had to believe that I would. That was the only way this would work.
After Mark was off the line, I set aside my phone and walked numbly to my bedroom. Kneeling, I snatched the box from under the bed and walked it back to the living room. I lit the fireplace.
With tears running down my cheeks and a hole in my heart, I tossed the tie in the fireplace and watched it burn. Flames licked at the material.
I watched it until there was nothing left. Until all I saw was fire, until all I felt was an all-consuming rage. Mark had made me ruin my relationship with Finn and he was going suffer the consequences.
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About the Author
Lila Kane is a full-time author who thrives on steamy scenes and hot insta-love. She lives in the Rocky Mountains where the views are picturesque and inspire stories of alpha men and feisty heroines, and demand happily ever afters. For hot, romantic reads, dive into a Lila Kane book.
