The Consequence of Seduction (Consequence 3)

“My key?” she repeated, her face paling.

“It’s a surprise. Promise you’ll love it.”

“I’m sure I will,” she said weakly.

“Hey.” I gripped her shoulders. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m just stressed.” She wiped at her eyes. “And you know . . . allergies.”

“In the airport?”

“Yup, it was a thing.” She nodded and wiped at her nose. “It was on the news, mold in JFK. I’m allergic to mold so . . .”

“Right.” Something told me to stay. But being a man, I ignored that something, because what reason would she have to be upset? We’d just spent an amazing weekend together. And when I got home that night, I was going to ask her to move in.

Because the very idea that she would potentially find an apartment and leave me?

Made me want to throw up.

I wanted her.

Forever.

CHAPTER FORTY

JORDAN

I cried the entire way to Reid’s apartment. My stuff was still nicely placed in his guest room.

But I knew it wouldn’t last.

I poured myself a healthy glass of wine.

Chugged it.

Poured another.

Patted Otis on the head.

Then walked over to Max’s apartment, key in hand. I knocked twice before he answered.

“Hey.” Max leaned against the door frame. “What can I do you for?”

I dangled the key in front of his face.

He frowned but didn’t take it.

I grabbed his hand and slammed the key into his palm and tried walking away, but he snatched my wrist and pulled me back. “Have you been crying?”

“No.”

“Drinking?” He sniffed the air around me. “That merlot’s been on his shelf for five years. Pretty sure it costs around five grand.”

I shrugged, not really caring.

“Whole bottle?” Max sighed.

I shrugged again.

He patted my head, then jerked me into his apartment and slammed the door behind him. “Well, I don’t want to say I told you so, but yeah . . . I told you so.”

“I know.” I stared at my feet. “But you had a part in this, don’t deny it!”

Max huffed. “Of course I had a part in it! A part in bringing you two kids together! You should thank me!”

“Thank you?” I screeched, my eyes greedily searching for an object to chuck at his head. “You made a bet! Over our relationship!”

Max frowned.

“And then he got a house! A FREAKING HOUSE!” I grabbed one of his throw pillows and tossed it in his general direction. He ducked. “And when you asked Reid about us he didn’t even say anything!” I chucked another pillow, which this time hit Max square in the face.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Max shook his head. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m moving!” I shouted loud enough for Otis to hear back in Reid’s apartment.

“I know,” Max said slowly. “But I thought it was a surprise!”

“Ha!” I grabbed another pillow. “You’re evicted!” I laughed bitterly. “Surprise!”

“Wait, Reid’s evicted?” Max held up his hands in surrender. “That’s impossible, I own the building.”

“Me!” I dropped the pillow and kicked it with my foot. “I’m evicted, because I’m moving!”

“Right.” Max said slowly. “In with Reid.”

“I live with Reid!”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“And now I’m evicted!”

“Women confuse me.” Max scratched the back of his head. “Seriously, what was God thinking?” He glanced up. “One day we’ll have that talk . . .” He marched over to the kitchen and poured himself a shot, tossed it back, then faced me again. “Why don’t we start at the beginning.”

“He didn’t claim me,” I mumbled.

“From the sounds of it, he did more than claim you . . .” Max said under his breath. “But I digress . . .”

“And don’t play stupid; you guys found me a place.”

“For your things.”

“Exactly!”

“Which upsets you because you don’t want to keep your soiled couch and table from Ikea?” Max went back into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle, then held it out to me like I was going to grab it and slam it over his head.

I took the peace offering but didn’t drink. “It upsets me because he slept with me and now he’s evicting me, going behind my back and finding me an apartment, and, and, and—” I started pacing. “He saw me, Max! He really saw me! And we had one of those damn elevator kisses, and you were so right. It was amazing, epic, everything I could have ever wanted in a kiss. And now? Now it’s over with and we’re over with and I got too invested. And I’m working with him and now it’s going to be awkward and I hate awkward. I do not do awkward well.”

Max grinned. “Neither does your hair.”

I groaned and sat on the couch, setting the bottle of whiskey on the table. “Sorry, and here I am, coming over to your place, doing exactly what you said I’d do, losing my mind.”

“I said other things too. You seem to recall I prophesied a big misunderstanding?”

“Stupid, stupid, men.” I ignored him. “I hate men.”