She was back looking at her computer, ignoring me.
“This is how you’re going to be?” I asked.
She launched from her chair, her eyes hot with fury. “How would you like me to be, Sam? Happy to see you? Do you want me to beg you to stay?”
I knew I deserved her anger, and I would take it. All I wanted was a chance to explain. “I want to tell you what really happened.”
“Forget it. We all know what happened.” She moved to go past me, but I stepped into her path.
“I tried to call and—”
“The fact that I didn’t answer means I don’t care.” Her body shuddered, and I wondered if she was as immune to me as she was trying to act.
“Won’t you hear me out?”
“Why? What difference does it make now?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring, thrusting it at me. “Here. Take it back.”
Jesus. She still had the ring. “You’re still wearing the engagement ring?”
“No.”
“You’ve been carrying it around?” That had to be a good sign, right?
“Only because I might run into you, and I can throw it back in your face. Here, take it!” She pushed it into my chest and walked around me.
In the hall, I caught her arm, stopping her from running away. I stepped in front of her. The anger in her eyes made me believe she wanted to kick my ass. I’d deserve it.
“The fact that you still have this means something.” I held up the ring. I remembered it like I bought it yesterday. How nervous I was when I proposed, and then the exalted elation I felt when she said yes.
“It means nothing.” Her words were like knives in my heart.
I reached up, touching a loose strand of her hair. “It means everything, Kate.”
“Everything okay, Boss?” The hostess’s eyes narrowed on me. She was small, but I had the feeling she could hurt me if she really wanted to.
“Sam was just leaving.” She pushed me back.
“Do you want me to call someone?” the hostess asked as Kate passed her.
She stopped. “You’re not referring to one of your old friends, are you?”
“No. I meant the police, or maybe one of the SEALs who were here earlier.” The hostess glanced at me, presumably to scare me. I wasn’t eager to have my ass kicked by a SEAL, but I’d endure it if that was what it took to spend time with Kate.
“It’s fine. He’s leaving.”
I studied Kate for a long moment. “I’m leaving. But I live out here now, and I like your place.” That was my way of saying I wasn’t leaving for good.
“I’ll put him on the do-not-serve list,” the hostess said.
“Go clock out,” Kate told her.
I worked to put on all the charm I could muster and sauntered over to her. “I’m going to change your mind about me, Kate. You’ll see.”
“When pigs fly.”
I smiled, even though it wasn’t working on her. “You know I love a challenge.” I left the club.
I sat in the car decompressing. Holy shit. Kate. Seeing her... being near her... all the emotions came flooding back. Or not back. They were always there. I’d only pushed them into the dark recesses of my heart because they were too painful.