Page 94 of Opening Strain

Big, grey eyes snag mine. “Lissa looks like all the women in your life.”

Without her saying, I can hear her finish her sentence and she couldn’t be more wrong. Instead of trying to reason with her, I lean to her ear. “She’s not you.”

Lissa reasserts herself between Jenna and me, hand on my chest. “We have so much to catch up on.”

I grab her wrist. The PR team has taught me never to piss off a fan, but at this moment, I don’t give a shit. “No, we don’t. You and I happened in the past, which is where we belong. I haven’t been pining for you for a decade. Go back home, wherever that is.”

Lissa’s mouth drops open. “You can’t mean that, Bennett. You told me you loved me.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “Me.”

Not only is Jenna staring at me, but we’ve drawn the attention of all the patrons in the restaurant. I place my hands on Lissa’s arms and draw her away from me. Raising my voice so it carries, I say, “Lissa, we went to high school together. Those years are long gone. Please return to your life and I’ll do the same.”

Our server appears behind Lissa. “May I be of any assistance, sir?”

Thank fuck. “Could you please escort this woman away from me?”

The server touches her arm. “Miss, please let me take you to a table and let’s leave this couple alone.”

I dart a glance toward Jenna, who’s gnawing on her bottom lip. While Lissa’s being led off—screaming how we belong together—I place my hand on Jenna’s lower back and direct her to the chair.

What should I do? I’ve never been confronted by an old lover when I’m with a woman I hope will be much more. “Jenna, I’m sorry.”

She holds up her hand. “Not your fault.”

“True, but I want to apologize for the way Lissa treated you.” I pause when the server brings us the bill and takes my credit card. “She was wrong.”

Her chest expands on an inhale. “I want to go home.”

The server returns. In silence, I sign the paper, leaving him an excellent tip. He did rescue me from Lissa, after all.

“Let’s go to the car.”

We stand and retrieve our coats from the coat check. Of course, things couldn’t remain so easy. Lissa pops up in front of me. “I know you didn’t mean what you said back there. I just surprised you, that’s all. How about we go back to your house and reminisce? I’m sure your mother will be so happy—she always liked me.”

I snort. “Then go spend your time with her.” I pull Jenna to my side. “We are leaving.” I drag Jenna toward the front door.

Shit. I should’ve taken the back exit. Thanks to Lissa’s sudden appearance, I forgot. A swarm of reporters crowd the street outsideThe Dancing Goats, screaming questions about my “reunion” with my high school sweetheart. About taking her with me on the road. About whether she’s the one I never got over. As a bonus, Michelle walks to the front door, through all the screaming paps.

Needing to get out of here—now—I choose the only sane option and usher Jenna back inside and steer us toward the restaurant’s backdoor. Once inside the car, Jenna puts it into gear. Our ride out of town is quiet. After we turn into the gated community and Jenna shows her temporary pass, I say my first important words since addressing the media.

“I meant it. Lissawasmy girlfriend. Ages ago. I haven’t seen her in a decade.”

“She did a number on you.”

I tap on my leg. “She and Curtiss fucked with my head. But that’s all in the past.”

“If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.” Jenna turns into the long driveway to my rented mansion, her stiff body warning me more loudly than words to stay far away.

“Jenna, it’s not what you think.”

“Really, Bennett, then how is it? This Lissa person—who you told you loved years ago—clearly still has feelings for you. Your relationship may have ended years ago, but she and Curtiss are still playing with your mind. You’ve never worked through what they did to you.”

“You’re wrong. They mean nothing to me. Do you hear me? Nothing. You’re all that matters.” I clamp my mouth shut.

I need to give her time to sort through what happened, hoping she doesn’t decide I’m not worth it. Because if tonight taught me one thing, it’s that she means more to me than anything else in my life.

We enter the mansion and she takes off, running up the stairs. I call to her back, “Don’t forget you’re coming with me to the doctor tomorrow morning!”

She doesn’t stop.

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