Page 48 of Before We Were Us

“Would you still have given me a chance had I told you that?” he asks me and lowers his head taking a slow deep breath. “You stepped up beside me at that bar and I felt something I’ve never felt before.”

“Don’t play me, Jensen?—"

“I’m fucking serious, Brynn.” It’s the first time since he stepped up behind me that he actually raises his voice. “You set me on fire, from the inside out.” He places his hand over his chest. “Like I’d had the wind knocked out of me and could barely breathe.”

Tears pool in my eyes.

When he closes the distance between us it surprises me and I don’t have the chance to move before he cups the back of my neck and pulls me close. “I’ve never felt the kind of pull I feel when I’m near you.” His lips cover mine, the gentle swipe of his tongue makes me gasp and he takes advantage. “Never,” he adds as he rests his forehead to mine and I take a moment to catch my breath.

“I can’t do this.” Tears threaten to spill over.

“Can’t do what?”

I don’t answer as I create distance. “You have things you need to work on.”

“Baby, I?—”

I hold up my hand, halting him. A pained look is taking over his features, his hands are fisting at his sides, his jaw flexing.

“Please, don’t follow me.” And with that I turn around and walk away. Pausing long enough to offer a goodbye to Marco and Keeton, who both offer me concerned looks.

“I’ll get a cab,” I tell Taylor and she follows close behind, telling me without words that where I go, she goes. The moment we climb into the cab I lean my head onto her shoulder and give in to the wave of emotions that are coursing through me.

My father enters my office and instead of saying anything he walks across the room and pauses at the windows that overlook the street below. It’s generally not a good thing when he is quiet which makes me nervous. My stomach has been in knots since walking away from Jensen last night.

I couldn’t sleep, and was the first one to arrive at the office this morning. I needed to focus on something other than my longing for a man I can’t want.

“Is everything okay?” I push my father, needing an end to the silence. “Dad?”

“I met Jensen.” The second the words leave his mouth I feel lightheaded. I grip the arm of my chair, needing to feel grounded. I’m not sure how to respond. “He stopped by looking for you the other day. From the way Lucy was grilling him I can only assume you left instructions for her to turn him away, if he showed his face here.”

It’s then he turns and finally looks at me.

“She didn’t budge,” he assures me. “But he also didn’t make it easy on her either.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I feel like everyone is team Jensen. Like I’m somehow being unreasonable with my feelings.

“He and I had a talk.” My stomach grows tense. “Actually he did most of the talking but that’s beside the point. I told him that I wouldn’t be his way in.”

He walks toward my desk, leaning over, lining up his gaze with mine.

“You and I share one very dominant trait, my beautiful daughter.” I try my best to breathe evenly unsure of where this is going. “That stubbornness once almost cost me the life I have today. Sometimes you have to let it go, give a little. It could be the difference between happy and resentful.”

Reaching out he places his finger beneath my chin, tipping my head upward. “But know that whatever you choose, I am always on your side.”

He stands and leaves my office and for the second time in less than twenty-four hours I give in to my emotions.

thirty

. . .

Jensen

“What does she want?”

“The property, free and clear.” Richard, my attorney, stares at me from across the desk. “All the contents currently in the home, she wants alimony, her car, and half of all the accounts.”

He knows as well as I do that this offer is ridiculous. The home was bought with money left to me when I turned twenty-one. An account that my father set up for each of his children.

---