Page 64 of Hard to Resist

Well, it’s a shit fucking design.

His earlier venom echoes in my mind, that poison dripping onto my heart, creating little holes.

“Really? You liked it.”

“Yeah, why would I—”

“Because you told Celine it was shit.” My nose prickles, my emotions starting to get the better of me.

Cullen’s smile drops, a haunted expression taking over.

“Verity, I didn’t mean that. Seriously. I only said that to hurt Celine.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”

I have no idea why I’m picking a fight with him. I came back in here hoping for clarity, hoping to smooth things over with his confirmation that he isn’t my boss’s ex. Instead, I am tearing at the threads keeping us together.

“I—” he swallows. “You’re right. It was a low blow.”

Cullen reaches out and takes my left hand, holding the tips of my fingers lightly. I turn my head to the side, staring at the marble tiles so I can get the words out without getting distracted.

“What’s going on, Cullen?”

My eyes are starting to sting, and my breathing is shallow, stuck in my chest.

“I’m not sure.”

I want to ask him. Want to demand he tell me how he knows Celine. Want to shake him and see if Jenna was lying, if her facts were wrong.

But I can’t. I’m scared.

I’m terrified that it was the truth.

A part of me knows it’s the truth.

And I’m not sure what that means for us.

“You work for Delute Designs.”

I’m not sure if it’s a question. It doesn’t sound like it.

I peer up at Cullen and answer anyway. “Yes. I’ve worked there for three years.”

He nods his head a few times, gaze darting everywhere but at me.

“Did you know who I was?”

“What?”

“Did Celine ever mention me?”

Those fissures in my glass resolve spread farther.

“No. Why?” I try to steel myself as my own defensiveness rears. “Why would she mention you?”

He lets go of my hand and runs his fingers through his hair, cursing under his breath.

“Fuck.”

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