Page 115 of Bria and the Tiger

His voice was full of harsh fear. “I almost killed my father, Bria.”

“Honey, no. Look at me.” She cupped his face. “You didn’t. Your mother should never have told you that, or at the very least, worded it differently. It isn’t your fault that your father had a heart attack.”

“It is,” he said. “I want to be with you, I really do, but I can’t. If we break up, and I can’t handle it…”

“Who says we’ll break up?”

“Who says we won’t,” he countered. “Life isn’t full of guarantees.”

She didn’t reply, and he squeezed her hand again. “I can’t take the risk, Bria. I like you a lot, but I can’t risk my dad dying because of me.”

She wanted to tell him he was being dramatic, wanted to shake him and force him to see how his mother’s fear was influencing him. Instead, because she didn’t want to hurt him any more than he already was, she sat quietly and waited for him to break her heart.

He let go of her hand and shifted further away from her. “I’m sorry. I can’t be with you anymore, Bria. Not even to help you with your heat. I know you hate me now and -”

She cupped his face again and made him look at her. “I don’t hate you.”

“You should. I’ve led you on the last few days and -”

“You haven’t. I don’t hate you, Jace. I hurt for you. and I wish things were different, but I understand.”

“Do you?” He gave her a searching look.

“I’m trying to understand.” She rubbed his cheek with her thumb. She wanted to kiss him, but she let him go and stood up. “Thanks for stopping by and explaining. I appreciate it.”

He stood. “I – you’re not going to quit, are you? This doesn’t have to affect our working relationship.”

“I think I have to quit.”

“I wish you wouldn’t. I already feel like a piece of shit and -”

“You shouldn’t.” She made herself smile at him. “I just – I like you a lot and it’ll be difficult to see you every day. Especially when my heat is coming up.”

She forced another smile. “Could you imagine how embarrassing it would be for everyone if I tried to hump you in the boardroom during a staff meeting?”

“I can work from home. I can stay in my office when I do need to come in and -”

“No,” she said. “That’s not really a workable solution. This is your business and your livelihood. I’ll find another job.”

“Promise me you won’t quit until you find a new one,” he said. “It’s bad enough that you’re losing your job because of me. I don’t want you homeless and starving either.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise I’ll try to stay until I find something else.” She patted him on the arm. “You should go.”

She walked him to the door. He opened it and then turned abruptly. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a desperate sort of need.

He tasted like sorrow and regret and love all mixed in together. She returned his kiss, trying not to cry and failing.

He cupped her face and kissed her again. “I’m sorry.”

He walked out of her apartment without looking back.

* * *

“Good afternoon, Shepherd Real Estate. Bria speaking.”

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