Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)
Page 143
“That’s amazing.”
“Yeah. Thanks. I’m just working really hard to make it perfect. And then I got my second client. And my third one. And I, uh… I’m busy.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Leigh—”
She presses her lips together.
“You asked me not to lock you out.”
“I know.”
“Don’t lock me out either.”
She turns to me. For a second, her eyes meet mine. Then they go to my chest. She reaches over the dash to undo my tie. “You didn’t quite—” She pulls the knot tight. “There.”
“Leigh.”
“The light’s green.”
It is. I turn to the road. Tap the gas. Glide down Santa Monica Boulevard.
Her voice is soft. Frustrated. “I don’t know what to say.”
“The truth.”
“I will. later.”
“Later?”
She nods. “Soon. I promise.”
What the hell? “Let’s go somewhere. Talk. I have all night.”
She motions to the road. “We’re almost there.”
“I can blow this off. You’re more important.”
“Than your closure?” She crosses her legs. Smooths her dress. “I don’t think so.”
She’s more important than closure.
Than anything.
That hole in my gut isn’t as deep. I can think of Penny without my throat closing. I can picture her and Frank without going numb.
But thinking of losing Leighton—
My fingers curl into the steering wheel.
I breeze through a green light. Stare at the clear road. Suck a shallow breath between my teeth.
Things were good last month.
Sex always fucks shit up.