Page 19 of Jacob
I press my lips hard against the shell of her ear. “We are never going to happen.” I release my hold on her and pull the price tag off her skirt roughly, before easing it back into place. She lets out a little yelp, the heat between us turning frosty. “Nice try, but I won’t be touching you, Skye. Not now, not ever.” I select the ground floor button, making the doors glide shut.
“You are so mean.” She grips the hem of her skirt to straighten it out, then huffs and puffs as if annoyed with me.
She’ll be more annoyed when I say what I have to, but I can’t stop the next words from leaving my mouth. “And remember, you made your choice. You chose him, not me.”
She lets out a shocked gasp. “It was never like that, Jacob. I never chose him over you. We were sixteen, for Pete’s sake. And I didn’t even know you liked me. You can’t blame me.”
“Skye, I’m fucking begging you. You have to let this go. Please. Leave. Me. Alone.”
A small piece inside of me dies when her blue eyes turn glassy.
“You don’t mean that.”
I look her straight in the eyes and lie. I’m used to it. It’s what I’ve been doing for years. “Yes, I do. After our meeting, I have a date. We matched on the MeetMe app.” I’m not on that app, I’m not signed up to any of them, but I need to create space between us.
“No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did. So don’t wait up.” Fuck, what am I doing to her?
I never want to hurt you, Butterfly.
Steadying my nerves, I dust the imaginary lint from my suit collar.
“I don’t know who you are right now,” she whispers.
I don’t know who I am either. My whole world flipped upside down a month ago, and it’s yet to return to its axis.
Uncomfortable silence stretches between us. I can’t bring myself to even look at her because all it will make me want to do is pull her into my arms and kiss her soft lips until she doesn’t hate me anymore.
As the elevator door finally opens, I storm through the hotel reception out into the street and inhale a deep breath of fresh air.
What a fucker of a day this is turning out to be.
And what a fucking jerk you are, Jacob Baxter.
9
JACOB
Stepping out into the bustling street outside the JoJo and Crow offices, I take a moment to inhale a deep breath, glad that our first meeting is finished. Deal done.
I still can’t believe she pulled off that proposal and tricked them into wanting a brand that doesn’t even exist. It was a genius and bold move. Although it’s Skye, and everything she touches turns to gold.
“You played a really risky game back there.” I try sounding like her boss but it comes out more awe-inspired and playful.
“I know. Worth it though.” I expected her to be ecstatic, but instead, she sighs, looking sad as her eyes skim the busy dockside. She continues to avoid eye contact with me as she slips her backpack onto her shoulders.
“Are you not excited? You did a phenomenal job back there, Skye. I am honored to have you on my team.”
“Thank you.”
“When did you pull that proposal together?”
“A few weeks ago, but I didn’t finish it until late last night.”
“You need to put in overtime for those hours. Email me and I will approve them with people operations.”
She whispers a small, “Thanks.”
