Page 188 of A Matter of Time

“I want Sam Kage to take me to bed and screw my brains out, Jory. I want to be ravished. I want him to eat me alive, and he won’t. He just won’t…” She trailed off, her eyes all over me. “And I’ve tried everything to… It’s embarrassing what I’ve tried.”

I had no idea what to say.

She coughed. “And now I see him with you. He watches you, he can barely keep his hands off you, and that whole scene… You guys argue like an old married couple.”

“I don’t think⁠—”

“And then the name…” she breathed out, studying my face. “How many times did you sleep with him?”

“You’re way off.”

“I think I’m right on target, actually.” Her eyes locked on mine. “Sam’s gay?”

“No,” I answered gently.

She nodded. “He’s bi, then?”

“I think you should talk to Sam about⁠—”

“Were there others, or only you?”

“I’m not comfortable with⁠—”

“Okay. Only you. This is all starting to make sense.”

“You’re so wrong, you have⁠—”

“Ohmygod.” Her hand covered her mouth. “That’s why I can’t move anything or throw out any of that tea neither of us drinks… He didn’t just sleep with you, he’s in love with you.”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Jory…I’m so jealous, and you…you’re so lucky.”

“I don’t have to sit here and listen to you.” I grabbed my coat and slid out of the booth.

“Jory, you should stay. I’ll go.”

But I didn’t look back because the tears had come fast, filling my eyes and slipping down my cheeks.

I took several deep breaths outside in front of the restaurant before I started hobbling down the street to find a cab.

“What are you doing?” he growled behind me.

I made sure that when he came around to face me, I turned away. “I’m going home. Go back inside and take care of Maggie. She’s all⁠—”

“’Cause I called you baby.”

My head snapped up and my eyes met his.

He looked tired all of a sudden. “I didn’t even realize I said it until I got back to the table and she looked like she got slapped or something.”

“I told her you⁠—”

“I know. She told me what you said. I appreciate it.”

“I—”

He took a step closer and took my chin in his hand, tilting my head up. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m fuckin’ exhausted.”