Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

She’s there, behind the counter, when I get to Inked Hearts. Her eyes meet mine for a second then they go to the shop computer.

Dean shoots me a what the fuck did you do look.

I wave him off. Wash my hands. Wait impatiently for my eleven o’clock. Turn all my attention to his classic pinup tattoo.

But she’s there when he checks out.

She smiles her usual oh, please do go on about whatever you’d like to discuss, you’re just so interesting smile. Twirls her purple hair around her pointer finger. Presses her tits together as she hands over his receipt.

I walk him out.

Go back to the counter. “Leigh.”

Her eyes stay on the computer.

“We’re supposed to be adults about this.”

“You’re sorry. I’m sorry. What else is there to say?”

“Are you?”

“What?” Her voice is curt.

“Sorry?”

Her lip corners turn down. Her eyes scream no. But still, she nods. “I let the line blur. I won’t do it again.” She turns her entire body away from mine.

She might as well scream leave me alone.

I know her well enough to know there’s no sense in arguing.

She’s hurt.

She’s insisting it was a mistake.

She’s in love with someone else.

Fuck, something doesn’t add up.

I try to find an explanation in my suite, but there’s nothing. I’m still cursed with an inability to understand women.

Or maybe I’m just unable to understand women I care about.

We’re quiet all day.

She leaves without saying goodbye.

It’s the same all week. All business, no pleasure. No teasing her, or watching her eyes light up as she smiles, or laughing at the way she roasts me at every fucking opportunity.

I still bring her lunch.

And she still eats it.

And taking care of her still satisfies me in a way nothing else does.

But everything else stays fucked.

Chapter 23