Page 12 of Only Fate

I wince. “Why?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Considering it was a promotion I wanted, I think it is.”

“No, it isn’t.” He drags a hand through his hair, and my fingers tingle at the memory of when I used to do it when my anxiety got the best of me.

“And now, you’re coming to steal another opportunity from me.”

He raises a brow.

“I wanted to buy Terrance’s firm.”

For a moment, he’s quiet, and from the look on his face, I know he didn’t expect that. It’s not like I released a freaking public announcement.

“Why don’t we partner up and run the firm together, then?”

“Uh, I think the fuck not.”

He bites into the corner of his lip. “Damn, your mouth got dirtier and your attitude crazier. It’s sexy as hell, Essie.”

Desire bleeds along his words, and chills run up my spine.

It takes me a moment to slap my attitude back in place. “Too bad I can’t say there’re any pros to this new Adrian. Your assholery definitely isn’tsexy as hell.” I waggle my finger at him. “And don’t call me sexy again.”

“Seriously”—he spreads out his massive palms—“we can be partners. I’m sure Terrance wouldn’t mind, and I’m okay with sharing the business. Consider it an apology for what happened at Adaway and Williams.”

“You know what a better apology would be?” I don’t give him time to answer. “You staying away.”

“That sounds like it’d be a half-assed apology. I like to go for more grand gestures.”

I hold up my middle finger. “How’s this for a gesture?”

He shakes his head. “Consider it a peace offering. An olive branch.”

“How about I snap that branch, then?”

He runs his hand through his hair. “Come on, Essie?—”

“No,” I say, cutting him off and holding my finger in his face. “You disappeared for years. No returned calls, texts, emails,nothing.” I drop my hand. “What makes you think I’d ever trust partnering up with you?” I shuffle to the right a few steps, away from the listening ears of customers walking into the diner.

He inches closer, and I shudder when his body brushes mine. “Don’t act like you were perfect. You completely changed after that night. Both of us are to blame.”

I turn my face, refusing to look at him as sadness hits me. “I won’t be your partner, Adrian. I’ll be your competition. I’m starting a firm here.”

“From scratch?”

“From scratch.”

“That’s not easy.”

“I grew up here. The residents like me and my family?—”

“That’s egotistical to assume they won’t like me.”

“They will choose me over a stranger who walks into town with the only intention of making money off them for legal issues.”

“That’s not my only intention here.”

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