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“No,” I said. The tendons spasming on his forearm caught my attention.
Turning to face me again, he asked, “Then why are you here?”
I sucked in my lips, not wanting to tell him I came to plead his case. I didn’t know how he’d react to me interfering with his business.
“Are you trying to make me jealous? Wasn’t it enough that you took a job to work for the competition?”
How did he know where I worked?
“Are you following me?” I asked.
His left eye twitched. “No. But as I mentioned, Ryan was looking into the matter and informed me of the company’s latest acquisition—you. Is that why you’re here with Paul?”
“No. Of course not.” I couldn’t breathe being this close to him, but I had to get the words out.
“I didn’t know Mariam was speaking to Morgan until after I started. I didn’t know she was after the same property as you. You have to believe me, Colton.”
He stared at me and narrowed his eyes. I wanted to shout that I came here tonight for him, to convince Paul to speak to his father on Colton’s behalf, but I didn’t think he’d believe me, not with that skeptical look in his eyes. So, I went with another truth.
“I came here with Paul tonight because we needed to talk and also because my therapist said I should get out more.”
His jaw relaxed, and his eyes widened, softening his features. “You’re talking to a therapist?”
I nodded.
“That’s good,” he whispered, raising his hand toward my face, then shoving it back into his pocket. “I’m glad.”
I closed my eyes, not wanting to analyze the compassionate look on his face any longer. When I opened them, I felt tired. Tired of not knowing where he stood. Was he still angry? Was I?
“What do you want, Colton?” I asked. “Why did you follow me down here?”
He opened his mouth to speak but ran his hand over his lips before whispering, “I don’t know anymore.”
I nodded. “Then let me pass.”
He stepped back, but before I could turn around, he asked, “Why haven’t you called me?”
“What?” I asked, incredulously.
He put a hand on his hip. “I was sure you’d call, want to talk about it, but you didn’t.”
I collected my thoughts. “I was angry with you. You didn’t call me either when you were angry with me.”
Breathe, Frances.
“No. I just came to your house to find you.”
“That was different. That was because you needed me for work,” I spoke calmly, but my heart hammered against my chest.
He stared at me, and his nostrils flared. “This is killing me. I don’t understand what’s going on. Makes me want to punch a hole right through this wall. But I feel like I’m the only one going crazy here.” Running a hand through his hair again, he added, “Do you even think about us, about what happened?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then scream at me. Yell at me. Call me a bastard. Say anything because I can’t take this silent treatment anymore.” Finally, he allowed his hand close to my face, his fingers caressing my cheek. “I…” He swallowed. “I care about you, Frances.”
My heart wanted to give in, but my pride wouldn’t let it go. “People who care about each other don’t hire private investigators.”
“I didn’t think he would find anything. I didn’t think I would have to ask you if you were lying to me. Why didn’t you tell me the truth? I would have understood had you come to me first.”
