Page 64 of Commitment Issues
“So many of them. I’d have hunted you down sooner, but I’ve been away on business. I first called whilst you and the deliciously delectable Freddie—”
“Don’t call him that,” I growl.
James answers with a barely raised eyebrow and a glint of knowledge in his green eyes.
“I wanted to make sure Gavin wasn’t being a twat for which, it must be said, he has an unrivalled talent. But most of all, I wanted to check you were all right,” he adds, his voice softer. “And to see how things were going with Freddie, of course.”
“For one moment, I really did think you weren’t digging.”
“And is there anything to dig for? Given your somewhat rough, gruff and terribly manly reaction…” A smile tugs at his lips and his eyes sparkle with good humoured amusement. As much as I want to be sharp with him, he almost always makes it impossible. He’s already guessed there’s something to dig for.
“It went well. He played the part beautifully.” I make my voice as bland as I can, but the words are glass shards in my mouth.
“That’s very guarded. It’s not like you to be mealy mouthed.” I don’t answer, only lock eyes with him over the no man’s land of my desk. “Ah, I see.” His eyes narrow.
“I doubt it very much.”
“Oh, but I do. You slept with him.” He’s as smug as the cat who’s not just got the cream, but the whole bloody dairy.
I sigh. “Yes, all right, let’s get this over with. We slept together. Once. And it really shouldn’t have happened.”
“Why?”
“Why? What do you mean, why? Let me list the reasons.” I count them off on my fingers. “One, he’s far too young. Two, sex was never meant to be part of the deal. Three, I’m not looking for any kind of — entanglement, I suppose.”
“Then let me counter your reasons. One, he’s twenty-four, which makes him a fully functioning adult. Two, you were in the sunny South of France, with love in the air, so of course sex was always going to rear its head. Three, engaging in some no strings fun whether it’s once, twice or twenty times isn’t an entanglement.”
James has countered my reasons, every single one of them. I scrape my fingers through my hair. He makes it all sound so simple when all my thoughts and feelings about Freddie are anything but.
“Look, I enjoyed Freddie’s company. I liked him, just as you knew I would. And yes, I’m glad he agreed to accompany me. But that’s as far as it goes. As for what happened… Well, it won’t happen again. For the reasons I’ve stated—don’t roll your eyes at me.”
James answers with a snort.
“When we got back, that was it. He went his way, and I went mine. Please don’t try and play matchmaker, in any shape or form. I feel like I’m just getting back on my feet, and seeing Gavin again—”
“Please don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts about the fucker? I won’t allow it, I really won’t.” He jerks up, ramrod straight, scowling and looking fierce.
“Give me some credit. No, I’m not considering getting back with him.”
James peers at me.
“Are you sure?”
“For goodness sake, of course I am. We’re history.” I keep my gaze locked to James’, like we’re in a staring match and I’m determined not to blink first.
“Just make sure he realises that,” James says, his voice quiet, his words measured. “He’s always persuaded you before—”
“Because I wanted to be persuaded. But not now, not anymore. Gavin and I are over. Any lingering thoughts I might have had about the two of us have been ground into the mud.”
“Yes? And why’s that, do you think?”
“James—”
“Hmm?” he purrs.
“Leave it, okay?”
He tilts his head, narrowing his eyes, scrutinising me just for an instant before an evil smile breaks out over his face. And thank God for that, as it means we’re back on known territory.
“Good, because I really wouldn’t want to break your legs if you ever did anything so stupid. I’m very glad to hear you’re not giving Gavin another thought.”
“No, I’m not.” And why would I, when all my thoughts are elsewhere?
