Page 53 of Suddenly Single
“Okay, enough,” Jenny said.“What is the matter with you?”
Edan looked at her as if she’d miraculously sprouted another head.“Withme?”
“I don’t see anyone else standing here.”
Edan shook his head.“I, ah…“He shoved his fingers through his hair.Rubbed his chin.Looked around at everyone in the courtyard and said, “I’ve got to finish some work. And your friends will be back soon.We’ll speak later?” He walked into the inn.
Jenny stared at his back, stunned by his awkwardness, his obvious desire to get away from her. “No,”she whispered. “You’re not getting off the hook that easily.” She went after Edan.
She brushed past Vanessa and Brooke returning to the courtyard. “Hey!” Brooke said loudly.
“I’ll be back.Wait for me!” Jenny commanded.She kept going, her hands fisting at her sides. She would really like to punch something just now.Preferably Edan’s gorgeous face.But she had a few things to say to him first.
She marched in through the door and stood in reception.Not here. Jenny banged on the reception bell, gave it five seconds, and then marched through the door clearly marked “Staff Only” and into his office.Wilbur and Boz were startled by her appearance at his door and leapt to their feet, barking.
Edan leapt to his feet, too. “You nearly scared me out of my wits.”
“I rang the bell, but no one came,” Jenny said.
“You really need to give a person time to respond,” he said.
“Why are you being so weird?” she cried.
Edan sighed. “I’ve a lot I’m trying to sort through.”
“Is that it? Or did you get what you wanted?” Jenny snapped.
Edan’s face flushed dark. “What?”
“I’m surprised, that’s all, and maybe I’m way off here, but I was under the impression you needed a whole lot more than sex.I thought you needed a friend, Edan!”
He snorted.“I donna need afriendprecisely—”
“Of course not,” she interrupted angrily. “Because you’re going to run back to your ex.You’re going to give up everything you’ve accomplished here for a woman who doesn’t evenwantyou.She doesn’t love you! Is that the way you want to live your life, chasing after someone who doesn’t love you?”
Edan’s gaze narrowed.He folded his arms over his chest. “You should no’ speak of what you donna know,” he said quietly.
“Am I wrong?” she exclaimed loudly. “We had anamazingnight, Edan—totally, freaking amazing! The stars were shining and little birds were singing, and fairies spun gold around that fucking bed, and you talked to me! You actuallytalked.You opened up and you let yourself breathe, and then, the next morning,poof,that man was gone,” she said gesturing into the space of that phantom man.
“If you will take a breath and allow me—”
She was not taking a breath until she’d said all she needed to say. “I don’t know why you suddenly wanted to pretend nothing had happened between us because it did, and the only reason I can think that you would is because you used me for sex until you can make it back to yourfiancée.”
Edan’s face darkened.“Are you quite through?”
Tears welled in her eyes, and if there was one thing she hated, it was tears.“Yes,” she said, her voice shaking.“Wait—no. I’ll just say this—my dad is coming next week and we’re going to make an offer for your inn.You can leave next week.You don’t even have to finish closing the inn.You can run, Edan.”
His jaw tightened. “Are you throughnow?”
She did a quick rake through her muddled thoughts. “I think so.”
“I’ve been distracted, Jenny, because I’ve made a decision.The decision is foolish and verra much unlike me, but I’ve decided I’m not prepared to sell the inn.”
Jenny’s heart staggered and plummeted in her chest. She couldn’t take those words in.For the first time in forever, she had found something to look forward to.She believed she’d found where she belonged, what she was meant to do, and he was going to yank the rug out from her?Why?Why would he do that? “What?” she asked weakly, hoping she’d misheard.
“Jenny.I think —”
She hadn’t misheard him, and suddenly, she thought if she heard another word, she would be sick. She jerked around, colliding with a cabinet in her haste to get out, tripping over a dog, banging through the door as he called after her.
