Page 81 of Holding On To Good

Like always.

See? Totally and completely, one-hundred-percent normal.

“We need to talk about last night.”

She stiffened at Urban’s gruff words. Kept her focus on the array of donuts she’d purchased, lips pursed, head tipped to the side as if this was the hardest, most important choice of the day and needed every ounce of her undivided attention. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Bullshit,” he said quietly, edging closer. “I kissed you.”

She shut her eyes briefly, just to gain a moment of inner peace, but that only summoned the memory of how he’d looked at her last night as he’d pulled her closer, his eyes dark with want. Of that all-too-brief brush of his mouth against hers. And suddenly, it was as if she was back in that moment, racing pulse, pounding heart and all.He wasn’t being fair. Business partners did not admit that they sort of kissed while they were both sober and in complete control of all their decisions. Lifelong buddies didn’t suddenly change their minds about their platonic relationship.

Friends didn’t bring up topics that the other friend did not ever want to discuss.

Damn it, this was nothing like their usual normal.

“Did you have a chance to go over the notes I sent you about the Mitchums’ addition?” she asked, still not looking at him as she picked up a napkin and kept right on perusing the donut selection.

She could feel him studying her, trying to see into her brain. Gain access to her thoughts as if he had the right, the privilege of knowing them just because he wanted them. “You can’t pretend nothing happened.”

“Oh, but I can,” she assured him as the door opened and Rick—who’d been with J&K back when it was still Jennings Builders, Urban’s father’s company—stepped inside followed by their newest hire, Jason. “Morning,” she called to the men with a big, sunny smile before turning back to Urban, her voice soft so it didn’t carry in the cavernous space. “In fact, that’s exactly what I’m doing. I suggest you get on board with it.”

And she gave him a we’re just a couple of buddies and don’t you forget it pat.

Except he missed the whole just buddies part of it, because he caught her hand, held it against his chest as he ducked his head. “No.”

She narrowed her eyes. Tried to ignore the feel of his heart beating under her palm, the warmth of his body seeping through the soft cotton of his T-shirt. “No?”

“No,” he repeated with a quick shake of his head. “I’m not getting on board.”

Then, ignoring Rick’s and Jason’s greetings, he tugged her toward the door to their shared office space.

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

Urban kept silent and kept right on walking. He was good at that. At just doing whatever he wanted, as if he knew best and had the right to make decisions for everyone around him.

As if his desires alone were reason enough to get his way.

No matter what someone else might or might not want.

It came with being the oldest of a big family. Of always succeeding, no matter what he tackled—academics or sports or raising his siblings and taking over his father’s business.

Or maybe it just came with being a man.

He tugged her inside their cramped office, took the few steps needed to deposit her smack-dab in the middle of the room, then let go of her and turned to shut the door. When he faced her again, he crossed his arms. Widened his stance. A man obviously ready to stand his ground.

Lips pressed together, she sent him a hard, narrow look. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Each word was soft. Measured.

And tinged with the silent but very real threat of dismemberment.

Which he heard loud and clear because, though he be a man, he wasn’t stupid.

Just incredibly stubborn.

“We have to figure out where to go from here,” he insisted.

“There’s nothing to figure out. Where we go from here is where we were going before any of this ever happened. End. Of. Story.”

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