Page 122 of Say It Isn't So

I trembled at the thought. She’d set so much confusion into motion when she did, but she also helped us both close a door permanently, so I couldn’t fault her too much for it. “I’m just glad we can put this behind us.”

“Yeah, it’s just sad because I have a feeling you were the only man that could put up with me and I don’t see myself meeting anyone else, so I’ll probably die alone,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

My heart ached for her. I knew this was one of her biggest fears, but we were so young, and there was really no telling. “I doubt it, but even if you’re single, you’ll never be alone. You have friends, I’m sure.” Not that I was applying for the job. I’d be friendly with Rina, but I wasn’t sure we were ready for being friends just yet. There was too much between us for that to happen anytime soon.

Again, she shook her head, and I wished I could take the words back, roll them right back up in my mouth one by one.

“I work a lot and pay everyone who I talk to daily. Except Stefan, but he’s a different story.”

“Then you need to find a balance. You need to go back to Spain and balance work and life. You’re a good person, you just need to let people in to see that side of you.” It was funny, but I’d always thought Rina left me behind, but now it seemed like I’d left her behind. I had so much in my life, there was no question that I’d moved on. I’d made new friends, new connections, dated, and the whole time Rina had cemented her feet to one place. She was clearly stuck, unmoving, and needed to get on with her life outside of work.

* * *

Bianca

Knox was out doing heaven knew what—I could’ve presumed, but didn’t want to—and I had the whole apartment to myself, but I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.

Having already cleaned up from the takeout I had for dinner, I considered calling one of my sisters, but I already knew they were all busy, so it felt useless. Layla was still in Mexico. All my other “friends” were from the magazine and I still wasn’t ready to face them after Angelo had fired me so callously.

Then I remembered one of the designers I knew was in the city, so I called her. Luckily for me, Mabel picked up on the first ring and had no plans for the night, so we agreed to meet at a bar.

Halfway through getting ready, my phone rang, and I wondered if it was Mabel calling to cancel (par for the course these days), so I walked to my phone to check the caller ID.

Angelo.

I wondered what he wanted but wasn’t curious enough to pick up. If it was important, I knew he’d call one of my sisters and they’d tell me. And if it wasn’t, then honestly, I still wasn’t ready to talk to him and didn’t want to say anything I’d regret, so I flipped the phone over and walked back into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

I dressed with care as I always did, especially when I was going out. I didn’t think I’d ever not do that. Mom had always taught us that looking good meant we would feel good and I had this need to feel good. Hello, that was part of the reason I needed affirmation from others, especially men. It certainly got better as I grew up, but let’s be honest here, I was who I was, and I figured that would be something I’d always need in my life.

Finally satisfied with my look, I walked to the door, my clutch in hand, and was more ready than ever to have a few drinks and a good time for a few hours.

Not a second after placing my hand on the doorknob to leave did I hear the lock turning.

I backed up and tried to act casual as Knox walked in. “Heyyy.” Okay, sotriedwas the operative word. Acting casual around a man whose bones I wanted to jump was harder than you might think. Actually, it was impossible. It was like those cube puzzles—I never could understand how people solved them.

Our eyes met. I gave him a tired smile. He smirked.Wait, why is he smirking?

He looked down and noticed my clutch. “Are you going out?” His eyebrows pulled together before his gaze collided with mine again.

“Actually, yes, I was just on my way out when—”

“Change of plans. You’re not going anywhere.”

My stomach sucked in with a sudden breath as I backed up again. “I don’t think I heard you right.”

“You heard me just fine.” He crossed his arms, his muscles bulging, making it hard for me to be angry with him for trying to boss me around.

I jutted a hip out and stuck my clutch under my arm. “Okay, normally I would be turned on by your—”

“Whoever you’re going out with, he’s probably a douchebag anyway. I’m helping you, trust me.”

Unbelievable. Leave it to Knox to jump to the conclusion that I was going out on a date. Because heaven forbid I went out at this hour and dressed nice to do anything but meet up with some man. Truth: in the past I would have done that, but now, I couldn’t if I wanted to. I was pretty sure Knox had ruined me for all other men. And the real kicker? We hadn’t even slept together! Man, I had it bad.

“I’m not yours to control.”

He walked toward me, eyes intent on mine, and I had to remind myself we were just friends. Sidestepping him, I spun around and backed up in the direction of the door. But he kept approaching me like he was a hungry lion and I was on the menu. His face was mere inches from mine as he tilted his head down. He slapped his hands on either side of me, pinning me against the door. I didn’t feel trapped, though; on the contrary, I felt safe, just like I always did with Knox.

“Wrong again,” he finally said.

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