Page 40 of Miles & Mistletoe

Chapter Ten

Stacia

“You’ll have to come back in the summer for our Fourth of July fundraiser. That one is much more fun because we get to be outside with the children,” Kelly Zerlinger insisted.

“I’m sure it is,” I responded, not knowing what else to say. Who knew if Ian and I would see each other past this very night. But I liked Kelly. She seemed more down-to-earth than many of the other people at these events. And the way she and Bruce kept throwing glances at one each other from across the room, it was easy to tell they were still smitten with one another.

That thought had me lifting my head and looking around the room for Ian. The last I’d seen of him, he been exiting the room, followed by his public relations head, Jamie. That was quite some time ago, and for some reason I was starting to feel unsettled. Call me crazy, but part of me felt as if Jamie had it out for me. She wasn’t overt in her dislike, but her subtle eye rolls whenever Ian wasn’t looking, the snarky tone she’d take with me if it was just she and I, all led me to conclude I was definitely not on her gift-buying list.

“The kids really love that picnic we have for the fundraiser. They get to invite all their little friends and—”

“I need to speak with you.”

The sharpness in Ian’s voice as it sliced through Kelly’s and my conversation was more than a little jarring. She and I both looked up, stunned to see an angry looking Ian staring down at me. I had the urge to shrink back, feeling as if I was being scolded for doing something wrong by just the expression on his face.

“Excuse us, Kelly.” Ian didn’t wait for Kelly nor I to respond, as he wrapped a hand around my arm and began walking away, leaving me to keep up with his quick steps.

“Wh-what’s wrong?” I asked as soon as we were behind closed doors.

“Bryant Jones.”

My eyes ballooned at the sound of a name I’d never thought I’d hear again. Nor did I ever want to.

A muscle in Ian’s jaw ticked. “I wanted to see your reaction to hearing his name.”

“Wh-why are you asking me about Bryant?” I had no idea what had changed between Ian and I, but something had definitely changed. The way he was looking at me. It was worse than the first time I had met him. At least then he seemed to disregard me with the same level of contempt he held for just about everyone else. Right now, he was looking at me as if I were the worst person on Earth.

“He’s an ex of yours, right? You met through work?”

I swallowed and nodded, my heart began racing. “Bryant’s and my relationship was complicated.”

“Complicated? I’ll say. Must be hard sleeping with a man, convincing him you care, and then using everything you learned about him to turn his world upside down and betray him.”

My head jutted backwards at the accusation that was akin to a slap in the face. “What? No. That’s no—”

“It’s not what happened? Spare me,” he growled, stepping closer.

I took a step backwards but Ian followed.

“You can save all your bullshit lies and manipulations for someone else, friend,” he spat.

I flinched at the way he tossed the word friend in my face.

“Keep your phony ass friendship as well. You may have gotten one over on Bryant Jones, but I’m not him. I promise you, if even one more deal of mine is put into jeopardy, if one more reporter calls snooping around about my company’s dealings because of meetings and discussions you were privy to, I will destroy you.”

My mouth fell open but I remained speechless. I had no idea where any of this was coming from. Yes, Bryant was someone from my past, and unfortunately, I had met him through my job. But betraying him? No, Ian had the story all wrong.

“I-Ian, wait.” I jumped backwards when I reached for Ian’s arm as he pushed past me, but he swung around, wildly ripping his arm free from my hold, as if he couldn’t bear to be touched by me.

“Don’t even fucking say my name again.”

His tone was so sharp it literally stole the breath from my lungs. My entire body began shaking. Without another word, Ian looked me up and down with disgust marring his face before he completely dismissed me by turning his back and yanking the door open. I jumped again by the loudness of the slamming door.

I hadn’t even felt the first tear escape my eye until it dripped onto my hand. I was still running the previous five minute conversation with Ian through my head, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened when Kelly entered the room.

“Honey, are you all right?”

Her voice was so sweet and so full of care. I wanted to give into the tears that threatened to escape and fall into her arms, sobbing. But I wouldn’t let that happen. Ian wasn’t the first person to disappoint me and he likely wouldn’t be the last. I could cry all on my own, at home, in my own place.

---