Mr. Surly: That you sometimes cum around me, and I’m hard. I’d rebut that first part that it’s not sometimes, but always. The second one is right, though. I am hard when around you, Kitten. Always.
ME: I don’t even know what to say to that. Are we at this point in our friendship?
Mr. Surly: Do you often flirt with friends?
ME: I don’t know. I haven’t had many friends I was sexually attracted to.
Mr. Surly: See, I knew you found me hot.
Mr. Surly: I want to be more than friends, Kitten. I’m just trying to show you I’m worth it first.
ME: Oh.
Mr. Surly: But if you don’t want to, I’ll back off. I just thought we had a spark.
Mr. Surly: I didn’t mean to do this over text either. I had a whole plan and everything to woo you and charm you over to the “Wells isn’t a dick” side and then make you find me irresistible.
ME: I think I’d like to hear this plan, but I need to finish work first.
Mr. Surly: I look forward to sharing it with you then, Kitten. I’ll check with Nicco and let you know about the tattoo. If not Friday, then Sunday. I’ll be ready to strangle Fort by then anyway. I think he’s going through withdrawal from you. He’s become a mopey dog, and when he’s not moping, he’s tearing shit up. I can’t win with him.
ME: Ah, my poor baby.
ME: Okay. We will touch base later.
ME: Bye, Mr. Surly.
Mr. Surly: Bye, Kitten. Be good.
Smiling, I shoved my phone back into my purse, looking at the time. Shit! I’d taken too long flirting with Wells, and now I was going to be late to pick up Jude. Nevertheless, when I got to the lobby, I stopped, surprised to find Atticus waiting for me.
“Mr. Masters, what are you doing here?”
“Mrs. Carter. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?”
“Actually, no. I’m on my way out. There’s a thing at school for Jude, and I’m already running late.”
I made to move past him, not wanting to play his games today. There were moments when I enjoyed the challenge, but I was beginning to get tired of the back and forth; it no longer had any thrill. He reached out, clasping my hand gently, halting me. I didn’t turn around, my breathing fast as I tried not to think about what his hand was doing.
“I owe you an apology, Mrs. Carter. Perhaps I could make amends by giving you a ride there, and it would also allow us to chat.”
I counted in my head, closing my eyes as I tried to center myself. Turning, I tried to drop my hand, but he held on, not letting me. Lifting my eyes, I found myself snared with his magnetizing eyes. The umber color was so deep, always trapping me in their depths, but it was the gold tinges that captivated me. It felt like his eyes were trying to show me he had those pockets of light; you just had to look for them. I evaluated his gaze, searching for any deception. When I didn’t find anything but sincerity, I assented. It would save me from having to track down a taxi or taking the L.
Atticus turned his hand, keeping our palms together, and led us through the building out to a side alley I’d never even known was here. He opened the door, motioning for me to slide in first to the SUV. Climbing in, I was surprised to find it empty, half expecting to find Sax there. Once I was situated, Atticus climbed in, and the car took off. He didn’t slide down the divider or take out his phone, so I wasn’t sure how he knew where to go, but at this point, anything was possible with the mysterious man.
He was quiet for a few minutes. I fought the urge to ask him what he wanted, feeling since he’d sought out the meeting, he could be the one to share. A few minutes later, Atticus cleared his throat, turning to look at me.
“Loren, I’m sorry for my behavior the other evening. I was out of line and unprofessional. You are a friend of our family, and I treated you like an enemy. It’s not an excuse, but I’ve been more on edge since Immy’s attack and the recent bombing. It wasn’t fair of me to speak to you in such a way, to invalidate your feelings or choices. I know I have a long way to go to earn your forgiveness and trust, but I would like to try. It’s evident you’re important to the people in my life, and I need to accept it and not fight against it. Sax gave me an earful, along with Immy.”
“I appreciate you saying that and acknowledging my feelings, but it feels you’re guilted into having me around. I don’t know about you, Atticus, but I don’t make it a habit to be around places I’m not wanted. Your words are pretty, and all sound lovely, but I’ve heard enough flowery words and apologies to last me a lifetime.”
He gritted his jaw, his fist unclenching as he stared hard at me. It hadn’t been the response I think he’d wanted, or expected, used to everyone allowing his behavior. Perhaps a few weeks ago, I would’ve accepted it, but I’d been learning things about myself and coming to terms with what I wanted in life. I didn’t have to take what he said just because he’d said it. I wanted to believe him, but he’d given me whiplash so many times at this point I didn’t trust he wouldn’t strike out at me again when he felt backed against the wall.
“What can I do then to earn your trust?”
“Show me. Apologies are just words unless they have actions backing them.”
“As you wish.”