Page 52 of She Was Made for Me

“You didn’t hear from him?”

“Uh…” She shifts her weight. “Yeah, I did.”

“And? Did we get the appraisal?”

“Not yet.”

I narrow my eyes, not liking where this is going at all. “Then what did he contact you for?”

She looks down at her shoes, folding her arms. “Um… he asked me out.”

I knew this was coming, but it still feels like a kick in the stomach. I clench and unclench my fists, trying not to flip out. Because why should I? I have no claim to her.

“Right,” I say through gritted teeth. My jaw aches, and I realize I’m clenching it hard. I take a deep breath, my appetite gone.

I don’t want her to go out with him. It’s completely unreasonable, given I have no intention of doing anything with her, but I still don’t want her with him.

I don’t want her with anyone.

“I’m not going to say yes,” she says gently, eying me.

Good. Okay. Leave it there.

But for some reason I feel the need to say, “You can if you want.” Then I desperately hope, against all reason, that she’ll say she doesn’t.

She lifts a shoulder. “I’m not sure I want to.”

Oh, thank fuck.

“Why not?” I hear myself ask. Determined to press my luck, apparently.

She tilts her head to the side, giving me a look. “You know why.”

It takes every muscle in my face to hold in my triumphant smile. She doesn’t want to go out with that greasy little shit. She wants me.

And you can’t fucking have her.

“I should get to lunch,” I mumble, looking away.

“Before you go, there’s something I wanted to ask you.” She sounds uncertain and I force my gaze back to hers.

“What’s up?”

“Um…” She rubs her face. “Do you have plans tonight? Because Sadie got two free tickets to see Rogue Valley…”

I frown. “I thought she said it was next week?”

“She got the date wrong. Anyway, I was wondering…”

I think I know what she’s going to ask, and as much as I’d absolutely love to see our favorite band together, I know that isn’t a good idea.

“Why don’t you go with Sadie?” I cut in.

“She’s busy.” Violet’s gaze drifts across the street, as if she can’t bear to look at me when she adds, “And I want to take you.”

Oh, God. She’s so adorable when she’s nervous. Which is exactly why I have to say no.

“Violet,” I begin, my tone heavy with warning.

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