She gulped as the elevator came to a sudden stop. She’d seen laughter, sincerity, and recently longing in his eyes, but never frustration aimed solely at her. “I didn’t do anything. Logan was about to kissme. Not the other way around.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. Did our sleeping together meananythingto you?”
She blinked, taken completely aback by his question. “Of course it did. How could you ask me that?”
“Because you still want Logan.”
“No…I don’t know…maybe…” She sighed. “It’s been the plan all along—you’ve known that.”
“Right, andthe planis everything,” he said bitterly. “Sorry if I thought the terms had changed when you were moaning my name and not his.”
Sarah bit her lip to keep from gasping. He didnotjust say that to her. She wound up her question, heaving it right at him. “So, what exactly did our having sex mean to you?”
“Apparently, more than it did to you.”
Sarah stood stunned. It did? That was breaking news. Sure, she’d said she was glad that they’d gotten it out of their systems, but that was only to protect her heart from getting broken.
His words gutted her insides, throwing her thoughts into a tailspin. Did he seriously think she hopped into bed with every guy she found insanely attractive?
And why was he turning this on her?Hewas the one not looking for a relationship. Maybe if Ryan had walked into the storage room a minute later he would have seen her and Logan kissing, but it wasn’t like Ryan was headed home alone to lick his wounds. He was going on a second date that would probably end at his place.
She snuffed out that heartbreaking thought, her blood starting to boil because he was acting ridiculous. “Listen, Mr. Fifth-Quarter Experience. I knew what I signed up for last Friday night, and I know that’s all you’re capable of. However, I’m not looking to do the casual sex thing, which is why I’m still interested in Logan.”
He pressed the button and the elevator resumed its descent. Within seconds they reached the lobby. “Glad we cleared that up,” he said flatly and stepped out, heading straight for the front doors.
“Me, too. Have a great time with Corrine,” she called out. Once the elevator doors closed, she covered her face with her hands, trying to convince herself that the terms hadn’t changed.
…
Ryan raced down the last two flights of stairs and hurried out the side door. After storming out of the elevator, he’d waited twenty minutes before walking the fourteen flights back up to his office.
He hadn’t wanted to risk another run-in with Sarah if she saw him get off the elevator, so he’d ducked into his office, dropped off the toner cartridge, grabbed his things, and dashed back down the stairs.
Yep. It was a cowardly thing to do, but he didn’t know what to say to her. He felt like an asshole for raising his voice, but seeing her so close to kissing Logan had made him lose his shit.
He stepped out into the cold and zipped up his coat. What was he doing throwing their night together in her face like that? He wasn’t that guy.
He stopped at the corner, waiting for the crosswalk sign. Maybe this thing he thought was love was simply his wounded pride.
He sighed deeply, knowing that wasn’t it at all.
Even if he was in love with Sarah, what were the odds anything could ever happen between them?
He walked in the direction of Midtown, his thoughts running fast. Say something did happen and they started a relationship. Would it even work out, or would she pull a Melanie and decide down the road she wanted a life with someone else? What if she realized that shehadwanted Logan all along?
His chest tightened. People he loved always left him. Melanie…his father… Same story, different names. Adding Sarah to the list would crush him.
But up until thirty minutes ago, he’d been ready to take a chance.
Dammit, Logan. Why did you pick this afternoon to make your move on Sarah?
As he passed by a Christmas-tree lot, a woman using a wheelchair smiled and handed him a bag of peanuts. A dark-green blanket covered her from the waist down. “Merry Christmas.”
“Thank you.” He took the warm bag. “What do I owe you?” He shoved his hand in his coat pocket and pulled out the wallet that Sarah had correctly suspected would be in there.
“It’s on me.” She grinned up at him. “Although, do you have a second?”
He blew out a cold breath and glanced down the street. The temperature was dropping, and he’d like nothing more than to go home, prop up on the couch, and crack open a beer. “Sure. What do you need?”