Page 89 of Playing Pretend

She’s already here.I’m too late.

My heart screams in protest.

“Piper? Is everything okay?”

He invited her into his home.

Heneverdoes that.Neverbrings women to his sanctuary.

“No, everything is not okay. We haven’t spoken in a week, and you didn’t turn up for drinks tonight.” I scrunch my nose to fight the burn. “I hate this. Can we please forget what happened and move on? I don’t want to lose you.”

He doesn’t answer. Doesn’t move.

I drag my gaze from the woman’s shoes which are tying my stomach in knots to meet his solemn eyes.

I’d hoped he’d jump at the chance to put this behind us. That he’d be thankful I made the first move toward reconciliation. All I see is sorrow in the gentle press of his lips. Regret in the dark depths of his stare.

“Please?” I swallow over the clog in my throat. “Can’t we forget the entire weekend ever happened and go back to the way things were?”

His chin hitches. The slightest incline of conflicted acknowledgement. Then finally he nods, slow and subdued. “If that’s what you want.”

What I want is to have stopped this the night his presence at the resort was even suggested.

I want to be free from the pain. The heated memories wiped from my mind. I don’t want to be tormented by our chemistry. I need my walls rebuilt and my heart kept safe.

“I can’t see another way around this that doesn’t destroy our friendship,” I admit. “And being away from you is killing me.”

“It’s killing me, too.”

My heart gives another agonizing squeeze.

“Well, I guess it’s settled then.” I attempt a smile. “We’ll forget the resort existed. We won’t speak about it again.”

We’ll forget the pleasure.

The wicked words.

The blistering sparks.

You’re my good little girl, Pip.

“Okay.” He keeps his thoughts locked tight, but I know he has them. He’s denying me his opinion. Treating me like an acquaintance.

The damage to our relationship has already been done, and I don’t know what to do about it.

“Okay.” I backtrack, each step punishing when I know he’s going to turn to another woman as soon as I leave. “I’ll get out of your hair, then, and let you enjoy your date.”

“Date?” He frowns.

“It’s all right.” I keep retreating, my eyes burning. “I saw the heels, and Rett already told me.”

“What did he tell you?” He follows me outside.

“That you had plans with Stacey.”

“That’s why you’re here?”

“I’m here to fix us.” I don’t stop backtracking, needing to keep the distance because every inch of me is being torn apart by jealousy. “I wanted you to know you don’t have to punish yourself over what happened. You made suggestions to make things fun, and I participated. If I’d only discussed my concerns instead of letting things go too far—”

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