Page 60 of Resisting the Grump

“For what it’s worth.”

For what it’s worth? What could it possibly be worth? DIY skills don’t make dating the devil a good idea.

“I just don’t want you to think I’m a complete asshole.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Just 98%.”

Thanks for the useless info. I’ll be sure to spend it wisely.

“The other 2% of me is solid.”

I swallowed the sadness that threatened to close my throat. “I need more than two percent.”

He nodded. “You deserve it, too.” He patted the door like he always patted our cabs when we got out. Like it had been fun taking my apartment for a spin, but it was time to say goodnight.

As much as the scorned woman in me wanted to threaten him with my daddy’s shotgun, my softer side longed to give him one last hug, just to feel his body flush with mine again. We fit together so well. It was such a shame he ended up being everything I needed him to not be.

“Taking you out is the most fun I’ve ever had.”

I felt the weight of his words on my bottom lip.

“So if you miss me—”

“I know where you’ll be,” I snapped, frustrated that he was still there, draining me in all the ways that didn’t feel good.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is…”

I pressed my lips together and rose up on my tippy toes.

“I’d rather be on your arm than on your shitlist.”

My breath left my chest when he walked away, and the slow seconds that passed between his departure and the door down the hall swinging shut were some of the longest I’d ever experienced.

But it was a fitting end.

After all, the sound of closing doors had become the soundtrack to my love life.

T H I R T Y

- Oliver -

At least I didn’t get slapped.

Then again, I might’ve preferred that outcome. Besides the fact that I deserved it, her touching me would’ve felt like a step in the right direction.

I wondered if she missed me, if she’d thought about coming over. But I stood outside her door long enough to realize she needed space. Even if that was the one thing I didn’t want to give her.

Why did she have to be so stubborn? It’s not like I hadn’t tried to tell her the truth.

And calling me Sherlock?! If I was clever enough to deserve that moniker, I wouldn’t be in this mess. Surely, she knew that. Surely, she knew deep down that there was nothing sinister about this misunderstanding.

Had she even heard what I said about having a stalker before? I realize that wasn’t a great excuse for keeping her in the dark, but it was the truth. And while it’s not like I feared for my life, the experience was unsettling.

Avery probably thought I was the stalker in this situation. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, when I finally tried to track her down, I failed miserably!

Maybe going to the café was a lousy idea, but I figured she’d talk to me on neutral ground. Especially if I was a customer. But I figured wrong. Either she wasn’t working or she asked Grace to cover for her, but news of our situation had clearly traveled fast. Grace was ice cold to me, and if I hadn’t ordered a slice of her famous pie, I doubt she would’ve forced herself to serve it with a smile.

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