Page 49 of Tangled With You

He shot Denny a quick text and she joined them in thebedroom. “Ready to walk down Memory Lane?”

“Not so much,” Courtney said, tucking a lock of dark brownhair behind her ear. “But I guess I have to, anyway.”

“It might help,” Denny said. “You never know what will.” Sheflashed a smile at Ollie, then cocked her head toward the door. “I’ll bring herout to you in a few. You two driving her back to LA?”

“We are,” Ollie said. “She’s going to bunk at my place for afew days.”

“Good,” Denny said, with a soft smile toward Courtney.“You’ll feel better being with a friend for a while.”

“Yeah,” Courtney said as she followed Denny out of the room,the door snicking shut as soon as they were across the threshold.

“I can’t believe I put her through this,” Ollie said,falling into a chair in the dining room.

“It wasn’t you. It was him,” Trevor said.

“I know. I just—”

“I’m glad she’s safe.”

Ollie frowned, something in Trevor’s tone setting offwarning bells. He took a step toward him. “Listen, Trev, you know I’m not inlove with her.”

“I know. I do.”

“She’s just staying with me until she’s dealt with it. Anduntil we either catch him or cry uncle.”

“I know,” Trevor said, his tone sharper than Ollie couldever recall. He drew in a shaky breath, then closed his eyes as he simply bentover and breathed.

When he stood up straight again and met Ollie’s eyes, theroom suddenly went cold.

Ollie shook his head. “Trevor—no.”

“I’m sorry, Ollie. You have no idea how sorry I am. But wecan’t do this. I can’t do this.” Tears glistened in hiseyes. “I love you. I’m certain of it. But I can’t be with you.”

And then, without even a backward glance, Trevor walked tothe front door, pulled it open, and stepped out of the house, leaving Ollie confusedand angry and desperately alone.

* * * *

“You want to talk about it?” Courtney asked, hours later asthey settled in Ollie’s bedroom in front of the television.

“About what?”

“About whatever you and Trevor talked about while I was withDenny. Because something happened.”

“What makes you say that?”

She only cocked her head. “Are you actually asking me that?Me?”

He laughed. Which, frankly, felt pretty good. Even so, heshook his head. “I don’t think so. I’d rather just get lost in a movie.”

“When have we ever easily agreed on a movie? It will betomorrow before we decide. Just talk to me. I promise you can do it. We mayhave sucked at talking about our relationship and feelings and all that, but wecould always talk.”

“I—” He broke off with a shrug, not sure how to tell hisex-girlfriend that his boyfriend had just dumped him.

“Fine, I’ll start. You’re dating Trevor, and somethinghappened. I’m guessing the something is me.”

Ollie gaped at her. “Dating Trevor. What makes you saythat?”

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know you, Ol. And I’ve got eyes.” Eyes which she narrowed at him. “Orare you going to tell me I’m wrong?”