Page 32 of Don't You Want Me, Baby?

‘I’m good here, thanks.’

She saw the shame on his face. ‘I am sorry, Amber. One thing Ididn’t want to do in all this was hurt you. I’m guessing I’m the talk of Hebblestone.’

‘What’s wrong? Worried about your reputation?’

He shrugged but didn’t deny it. ‘I’m a businessman; reputation matters.’

‘Yeah, well, the Slug is hardly theDaily Mailnews desk, Brad. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Although, I wouldn’t show up there again if I were you.’

‘Tyler wouldn’t hold back, I’m guessing.’ His eyes grew hard. ‘Finally made his move, did he?’ He cursed under his breath. ‘I always kind of guessed he liked you, but he never said anything. Even denied it when I asked. Said he wasn’t looking for a relationship.’

‘He’s not,’ she confirmed, even as a stab of something hit her chest. ‘He’s not one to settle down.’

‘But he does like you, right?’

‘That’s none of your business.’ She pressed her lips together. ‘We got close lately, that’s all. Working together so much, you were off doing your own thing. I’ve never cheated on you.’

He waved her off, as if it didn’t matter. ‘I know that. I still think we can sort this out. Now you know?—’

‘Now I know just how much of a wanker you are?’

He huffed, pulling his tie loose from its binding. ‘I deserve that. And more. I never meant for it to happen like this.’

‘So call it off. I am going for the Arms, Brad. I will not let you just swoop in and take it, and Hebblestone is not going to welcome you with open arms if you win. You can still stop this. Walk away. Find another place.’

He winced, swallowing hard. ‘I’m in too deep to pull out of the eatery now. I have to push through on this. The investors are… pushing for me to get things moving. I had to do it.’ He didn’t look entirely happy with the prospect. ‘I know I’ve changed,’ his eyes grew soft. ‘But I did change for the better when I met you, Amber. You made me better, I just… forget to be that man sometimes. It’s cost me, more than you know. I’ve lost you for good, haven’t I?’

It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic. Looking at him now, she couldn’t imagine a time when she ever had feelings for such a person. Tyler might not share her dreams, but he had never made her feel anything but supported. Even now, when he was mad, he was still there – looking out for her.

‘You lost me a long time ago. You just didn’t notice. I’m going to fight you on this, every step of the way. You’re not crushing my dreams to get what you want. Not any more.’

He nodded, a strange look clouding his face before he came to stand in front of her. His head bent to meet hers. His lips brushed hers for the briefest of moments, before he pulled back. ‘I never deserved you, Fitzpatrick.’

She smiled fully for the first time. ‘Tell me something I don’t know, Sloane.’

12

Tyler opened the back door while her key was still in the lock.

‘Jesus! Stalk much? Your shift finished half an hour ago.’ He was on his night off. She thought he’d have been gone by now.

‘Hmm, I wonder why you waited for that to come home.’

Busted.She should have been embarrassed for being caught out, but the way he’d been waiting for her, still all antsy and irritable, raised her heckles. She’d banked on having more time to get her thoughts together. She’d already said goodbye to one man today. Speaking to Tyler, having the talk, wasn’t something she relished. Seeing him now reminded her of how gutted she was to be ending something that had never had a chance to start. She should just rip off the Band-Aid, cry alone later. Instead, she decided to go the childish route, and pick a fight.

‘Oops.’ She yanked her key out of its housing and stomped straight up to her flat. ‘Sorry Dad, am I grounded for missing curfew?’

‘Don’t be cute. Where have you been?’ he demanded.

‘Out,’ she huffed, realising the second he strode into her flat behind her that she wasn’t going to be able to shut the door on him.Dropping her keys on the hook, she fished her phone out of her handbag and headed into the lounge. ‘Sharon said she would cover.’

‘I know that.’ He glared as his eyes fell to the phone in her hand. ‘Your phone obviously works too. You could have let me know where you were.’

‘Not that it’s your business, Ty, but I agreed to meet Bradley.’

‘You did what?’ Tyler’s face was contorted by confusion. ‘Why the fuck would you do that?’

‘To tell him where I stood, and can you not shout? I don’t need you in my face like this, Ty. Okay? I told him I’m going for the Arms. It’s done with, we’re done with. I’ve made an appointment with the bank; I have my plan. I don’t want to fight, okay?’

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