Page 144 of Playing the Game
“You’re looking for an escape route. This is what you do when things get too hard to talk about.”
My shoulders lower, and I coil into myself. “I’m not looking to leave this conversation. I was merely trying to find the right words.”
“Sure. I’ve heard that before.”
Yeah, she’s definitely pissed.
“Dori, trust me. I’m not trying to avoid this. If you recall, I’m the one who said we need to talk.”
She half rolls her eyes. “You want to talk about my job. I want to discuss the doubts you’re having about us. Those are two different topics.”
“Which are tied together.”
“No, they’re not.”
“I’m not going to argue about semantics. The truth is the doubts I’m having revolve around you working at Efron Worldwide.”
She releases a frustrated growl. “I don’t have a job at Efron anymore. Why are you beating this to death?”
“Why are you refusing to consider the possibility?”
“Forget it. This is obviously too much for you to deal with. If you won’t drop it, I’m going home to think.”
“Yeah, because locking yourself away works so well for you,” I say dryly.
She’s not amused.
She glares at me from across the room. “Seriously? You throw this back on me like I’m the one who’s trying to fight? I’m not the one pushing this and looking for a reason this relationship won’t work.”
“Jesus Christ, that’s not what I’m doing.”
“Really? Then why focus on a job I don’t have?”
I rake my teeth over my bottom lip. I’m so close to coming clean with her.
“Dori, if I leave for Miami and Jonah and Hunter get your job back, will you find a reason not to move?”
She blinks a few times as confusion swirls in her expression. “If I answer you, can we stop fighting?”
“We’re not fighting. We’re trying to understand where the other is coming from. There’s a big difference.”
She huffs. “Semantics. Your words, not mine.”
She can be so fucking stubborn.
“Fine, Dori. We’re in a fight. Does that help?”
She storms out of my room. Rightfully so.
“Dori, stop.” I follow her out as fast as I can without blinding pain taking over. “Please, I’m in no shape to chase you.”
She halts mid-stride. “That’s not fair.”
“But it’s the truth.” I continue to pad toward her. I reach her and turn her to face me. “You’re right. I’m causing problems where there doesn’t need to be.”
She studies me, then softens her stance. “Why are you second-guessing me?”
I give her the honest truth. “I’m scared I’m going to lose you.”
