Page 73 of Elevator Pitch

Cassandra’s words come back to me.

“So if Ross Davis knocked on your door, and said he wanted to have sex with you again, you’d turn him away?”

I’m not turning him away because I can be the bigger person, but I don’t trust myself to let him in. Like the big bad wolf standing on my doorstep, the only thing I want him huffing and puffing is an apology, and the blowing thing should happen on a part of me he won’t get near again.

“I’m not having sex with you to save your team.”

Ross’s brows lift so high his forehead furrows. “I’m not here for sex, Verona.”

I snort.

“That wasn’t a snortle.” His brows shift to a deep divot, like he’s disappointed.

“No, Ross. It wasn’t a snortle, and this isn’t an open door to sex.” I wave at the space between us.

“I know. I’m sorry. Can we just talk? I miss you, Vee.”

The words instantly remind me of Cameron. His pleas. His regrets. But Ross isn’t Cam. And I hate how my heart flutters. How he’s repeating what Cassandra predicted. “He might say I missed you, Vee.”

“Did Cassandra put you up to this?” I hate that I’m questioning him. That I distrust both his intentions and my best friend’s generosity because I don’t need a pity chat with Ross.

His eyes widen. “How could she put me up to anything? I just met her five seconds ago, and she threatened to cut off my balls if I hurt you.”

“She threatened to kill you actually.”

“Same thing,” he corrects.

“You already hurt me. I’m sure your balls are still intact.”

Ross’s expression instantly falls despite my joke. Lowering his head again, the action one of shame, he pauses a second before looking up at me again. His eyes full of remorse. “I’m so fucking sorry, Vee. I shouldn’t have let you walk away from me a second time.”

My heart skips. I’ve heard apologies before from him. I want to be fierce like my best friend but I’m finding I’m weak when it comes to Ross giving me those sorrowful blue-eyes and slowly crooking up one side of his mouth, a weary smile taking over his face.

“Let me come in and apologize properly.”

Properly would mean make up sex but we have nothing to make up. We didn’t fight. We didn’t even disagree. We came together as two consenting adults and then separated with an unspoken agreement. The sleeping arrangement contract was completed.

Still, there’s something in the way Ross is looking at me. Hesitant while hopeful. Sheepish while sincere.

“Oh, fine.” I press off the door and step aside, allowing Ross to enter my place, which strangely reminds me of all the other entrances he’s made into my life.

Into my hotel room.

Into my Arizona rental.

Now, he’s stepping into my home, and this is his last opportunity.

Strike three, and he’ll be out on the curb.

Chapter 24

[Vee]

Ross steps into my medium-size living room and spins in a slow circle, taking in the large bay window overlooking the city side-street. My charcoal gray couch is littered with bright colored throw pillows. A large-ish television sits on top of a light-colored wood cabinet. Two high back chairs stand side by side with a dainty antique table between them like a cozy sitting space. My place is feminine as it is only me until Hannah comes home for a short summer visit between semesters.

Finally, he faces me and lifts the bouquet of flowers. “For you.”

Flowers are always a sketchy gift, especially when it comes to apologies, as in, they aren’t one, and Cameron gave them often as a cover for his conscience.