He frowned. “You’re pissed.”
“I’m busy.” And pissed. But mostly I was mad that after nearly five years when I was sure I was over him, he walked into my bar and forced me to realize that I wasn’t.
“This is a great place you have.”
“Thank you.” I continued to look at the computer screen wondering what the hell it said.
“Are you going to ask about me?”
I sighed. “How’s life with Sandra and the baby?” Sandra had been his ex until it turned out she had his baby.
When he didn’t say anything, I looked up. His expression was a mixture of surprise and pain.
“There is no life with Sandra,” he finally said.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” Not. I went back to work.
“That was a mistake.”
So is your being here.
He was quiet for so long, I thought maybe he got a clue and left. When I looked up, he was still there.
“This is how you’re going to be?” he asked.
Anger propelled me out of my chair. “How would you like me to be, Sam. Happy to see you? Do you want me to beg you to stay?” I wasn’t going to do that again.
“I want to tell you what really happened.”
“Forget it. We all know what happened.” The room felt very small all of a sudden. Too small. I moved to go past him, but he stepped in my path.
“I tried to call and—”
“The fact that I didn’t answer means I don’t care.” God, he smelled good. I couldn’t look into his face, so my gaze was on his chest which looked broader than I’d remembered.
“Won’t you hear me out?”
“Why? What difference does it make now?” The talisman weighed heavy in my pocket. I realized that it was the thing keeping tethered to the past when all I wanted was to be free from it. I pulled it from my pocket and thrust it at him. “Here. Take it back.”
His eyes widened. “You’re still wearing the engagement ring?”
“No.”
“You’ve been carrying it around?”
“Only because I might run into you, and I can throw it back in your face. Here, take it!” I pushed it into his chest and walked around him.
I’d made it just outside the door when he caught my arm, stopping me short. He stepped in front of me, and I had an urge to hit and punch and slap, but if I did, he’d know I was still hurting from his betrayal.
“The fact that you still have this means something.”
“It means nothing.”
His fingers sifted through a strand of my hair. I hated the ache in my chest from the gesture. “It means everything, Kate.”
“Everything okay, boss?” Dana’s eyes narrowed on Sam. She was small, but I no doubt she could hurt him if she really wanted to.
“Sam was just leaving.” I pushed him back, escaping the closeness that was wreaking havoc on my system.