Page 43 of Not Mine To Love

“Exactly. So there, it totally wasn’t my fault.”

“It was. You didn’t have to accept the job, but you did—"

“I needed the money,” I said, feeling terrible to have to admit that. I didn’t think I was a prideful person, but maybe I was. Or maybe I just didn’t want him to feel sorry for me.

“Listen, I’m sorry. Like really sorry, and you’re right… I didn’t have to accept the job, but it was easy money.”

He didn’t say a word, so I kept talking.

“Not that, that’s any excuse. I do feel bad for deceiving you. I’m sorry. I really am. For what it’s worth, I know you’re a decent guy. A really good guy.” I shook my head, not knowing how I got myself into this mess. “You’re probably the best guy I’ve ever met. And I mean that. I didn’t give her anything incriminating. I didn’t. I swear.”

He still hadn’t said anything as he continued to stare at me with a blank expression.

I sat back heavily against the couch and said, “Say something.”

“Are you really a photographer?”

I shook my head, but then nodded. “But only as a hobby. Well, that’s not technically true. I work for a P.I., so I take a lot of cases involving cheating wives/husbands.”

“So I guess my case was right up your alley.”

“For the record, I was at the strip club tonight to take pictures of your drunk friend, not to follow you around.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better. So what? You got two for the price of one.”

He was right. I was done oversharing.

“So did you find out anything interesting about me?”

His arms were still crossed, and his eyes were guarded.

“Nope. You’re the most boring person I’ve ever followed. All I know is that you work all the time, do Cross Fit and you visit an old people’s home occasionally.”

“That’s about right.”

“Who lives at the old folks’ home that you know?”

“”That’s none of your business.”

I instantly felt contrite for asking. He was right. It definitely wasn’t any of my business.

He sighed then and reluctantly said, “I might as well tell you. I wasn’t visiting anyone there. Sam’s granddad works at the guard station there, so I was just dropping off some donuts to him. I probably shouldn’t have, but he’s the healthiest seventy-six-year old I know.”

Surprised that he shared, I felt a smile form on my face. “That’s really sweet of you. You really are the nicest guy I know.”

He arched a brow. “You sure? Maybe I’m a bad guy with questionable motives. Isn’t that what my future mother-in-law convinced you?”

“She’s just my client. As soon as I met you, hung out with you, I knew she was wrong about you. But following you was just my job. It wasn’t personal.”

“Funny. Violating my privacy felt very personal.”

He was right. To me, it was another job, but I had done something that I didn’t expect him to forgive me for.

I messed up. It was partially Claire’s fault, but the true fault was my own.

Why was I really at Julius’ house tonight? Was I there because I was afraid he was going to tell Claire or had that just been my excuse? It wasn’t Claire or the money that I was concerned about. I was trying to salvage the tenuous friendship I felt that had formed between Julius and me. I had feelings for him. I had gotten attached.

Shocked at my own thoughts, I leaned my head against the cushion of the couch and sighed deeply, I had gotten attached. And that was a no-no… not just because of my job. But because getting attached to any man was dangerous. A relationship wasn’t in the cards for me. Not now and probably not ever, but what did it matter? He was engaged. I needed to keep telling myself that.