Page 43 of Hidden Heart

He turned to her and held up one finger.

“I was busy and didn’t want to talk.” She folded her arms over her chest. She wished she didn’t care at all that she was standing in her oversized football jersey and black yoga pants. “What are you doing here? This is out of bounds.” She tried to sound annoyed, but she wanted to kiss him. Her chest tightened at the thought of him touching her, after he’d touched that woman.

Royce turned to her, effectively blocking her view of Alex. “Jessica, I know you met Melody.” He took up half the room with his size. “You misunderstand.”

“Oh, no, that’s okay. I told you, I’m not looking for anything permanent.” She shrugged her right shoulder, trying to appear indifferent.

“Melody is an old girlfriend. She came into town unannounced. She wanted to get back together,” he explained, stepping toward her. “Can we speak in private?” He gave Alex a sideways glare.

“I’ll be in the kitchen.” Alex’s expression held a warning, darkening Royce’s eyes. After giving Jessica a supportive squeeze on her shoulder, he left them alone.

Jessica sidestepped Royce and grabbed the bottle of wine. As a barrier, it would have to do. Her heart raced, and she found it a little hard to breathe with him in her space.

He glanced at Alex’s retreating form before settling his gaze on her. “I put Melody on the first plane to New York,” he added.

“The next morning,” she scoffed.

“Yes. After I spent the evening sleeping on my couch.” His tone deepened.

“Okay.” She stared at him with what she hoped was a bored expression.

“You’re hiding again.” He pointed a finger at her.

“I can hide as much as I want to. This is my apartment.” Switching the bottle from one hand to the other, she said, “I’ve been thinking. I don’t think this is working for me anymore. It’s been fun and all, but I think we can stop now.” She wondered how her mouth could so easily say things her heart didn’t mean.

His eyes narrowed, and he clenched his fists.

She attempted to look unbothered.

“Melody seems like a wonderful girl. I’m sure she can kneel for you and take all sorts of beatings from you. I’m not interested.” She swallowed hard and straightened her spine.

Royce slumped. She’d hurt him.

After a long pause and a glance toward the kitchen he caved. “Okay. I’ll let you have tonight.” A shake of his head. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Pick up when I do.” A warning lingered there.

“I’d rather you didn’t,” she said to his back, while his hand rested on the door handle.

He froze, and she followed his gaze to the floor. Next to the door sat her shoes neatly lined up on a pink mat—a mat matching the one he had bought for her.

Royce turned to her, taking his time. His eyes still dark, locked on hers. He was back in control. His determination resonated from his stance.

“Why are your shoes by the door?” he asked, his voice hard.

“I don’t know,” she lied with a shaky voice.

“That’s two, and I told you I wouldn’t give second chances. Tell me what happened with Melody. What did she say?” He removed his coat casually and placed it on the hook near the door.

“I don’t want to get into this right now.” She was losing the strength to go forward with her plan. He’d seen her shoes and the mat. He knew how she really felt. It was too much. “Please, Royce, just go.” The words were spoken so softly she was surprised when Alex bounded from the kitchen.

“I’ll walk him out.” Jessica found herself staring at Alex.

“Jessica.” A plea.

Not sure where to go, or what to say, she left the living room. She didn’t want to see him walk out her door. She couldn’t bear to hear it close behind him.

“You really hurt her.” Alex’s voice carried to where she hid in the kitchen, out of sight. “I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I know she is in pain. Just go. Leave her be for a while.”

“You let her hide. She runs when there’s a bump. I get it. She’s had shitty luck in the past. I’m not shitty luck. I would never do what she thinks I did, never. Not to her. Not ever.”

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