“If you have company, I can leave.”
“No one’s here but you and me.” His voice is calm. Mild. Friendly.
And, damn it, he looks amazing in that tight T-shirt and jeans that hug his hips in just the right way. I know what’s under those clothes and how he feels. How he smells.
This was a huge mistake.
“So, did you have a nice date?” I blurt out. I can’t even turn and look at him, so I walk to the window and stare outside. I have all these emotions swirling inside, and I don’t know what to do with them.
“Maggie.”
“Did you do it on purpose?” I turn and stare at him, propping my hands on my hips. “You overheard me telling Maeve last night that I’d be at the diner, so you paraded some tramp in there to make me jealous, right?”
“Actually, no.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. “I’d already made the date—with a client—a few weeks ago.”
“So, you’re dating, then.”
He narrows his eyes. “I just said she’s a client. But let’s set that aside for a second. You’re dating, too.”
Damn it, Mary Margaret, stop this! You sound like a fool.
He looks frustrated. Cam’s always calm and collected, so I’ve clearly gotten him worked up. His voice is firm but quiet as he asks, “How did it go with your date?”
“Oh, he’s a moron.” I wave that off and pace back to the window, feeling completely mortified. “He’s a misogynistic, basic asshole.”
“So, you didn’t like him then?”
I can’t help but chuckle. “No. I didn’t like him.”
“Why are you here, Maggie?”
I don’t turn around. I don’t want him to see the hurt on my face. Damn it, why does this whole thing hurt my feelings? He just said the bimbo at the diner was a client.
“I was in the neighborhood.”
I feel him walk up behind me and rest his hands on my shoulders. “Mary Margaret.”
“I was just in the neighborhood,” I repeat and pull away from him, angry all over again. At him, at myself for letting him get under my skin. “Good for you for going on dates, even if the girl obviously has fake boobs.”
“What’s wrong with you?” He raises his voice, and that’s something I’ve never heard from Cameron before.
“Nothing.” I march to the front door, but Cam stops me before I can reach for the knob.
“You’ve made it clear to me that I don’t have a chance in hell with you, Maggie.” His voice is raised, full of frustration and anger. “I’ve tried, damn it. I’m your friend, and I will be forever, but you’ve established that that’s all it is for us. You can’t even fucking look at me.”
“You left me!” I round on him, the anger spilling out of me so fast, I couldn’t have stopped it if I’d tried. “You embarrassed me. And, damn it, I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with men who do that shit to me. I won’t have it. I. Will. Not. Have. It!”
“Don’t you dare lump me in with that fuckup you married.”
“Why not?” I lean in closer to him. “You acted just like him. Worse, actually, because I cared when you took off, and I never did when he left.”
“Mags.” He reaches for me, but I back out of his grasp and shake my head.
“Forget it.” I hold up my hands in surrender. “This was obviously a horrible idea, and it was dumb to come here. I don’t know what I was trying to accomplish or prove. Good luck with Fake Boobs.”
Before he can say anything else, I hurry out of the house and run down the stairs, walking toward my house, my feet moving swiftly.
Jesus, why do I always embarrass myself with that man? What is it about him that has me continuously making a fool of myself? Did I think I’d catch him in the act with that chick? And then what?
I’m ridiculous, and I need to get over him. Cameron will always be a part of our family, so I’ll see him from time to time.
That’s fact.
I just wish I didn’t feel pulled to him as if he’s meant to be mine when it’s perfectly clear that that’s not the case at all.
And I really need to stop letting my temper take over. That’s what gets me into these messes.
Instead, I need to take a deep breath, count to ten, and then walk away.
Man, I’m an idiot.
Chapter 2
~Cameron~
I’d like to spank her ass.
Just throw her over my knee and paddle her. I didn’t sleep at all last night and had to stop myself from marching down to her house and having it out with her several times. When she’s all fired up, and in a temper, it doesn’t do any good to try to reason with her.
I love her fiery personality, but it frustrates the hell out of me.