Page 122 of Forgot to Tell You Something

I turn to see Owen, his eyes flashing in the low light. “What?”

“I mention proposing, Tally, and you get up and walk away.”

“I knew you were joking, Owen.”

“What makes you so sure?”

My eyes widen as my mouth goes dry. “You can’t be serious.”

“I know it’s the least romantic place in the world to propose Tally, and I don’t have the ring, but—”

“You were serious?” I’m not sure how I want him to respond. If he says he was, I’ll feel like a total ass and totally confused. If he says he wasn’t, I’ll be relieved but disappointed.

What is wrong with me?

He offers a strained smile. “Bad timing. I just wanted you to know how I felt.”

“Really? You know how you do that? Take my feelings into consideration. Don’t ask me to fraternize with your ex-fiancée again. I know you say nothing is going on—”

“There isn’t.”

“But after tonight, that claim isn’t entirely clear. That douchebag wasn’t the only one. Tongues were wagging all around the room about you and Charlotte.”

“I didn’t tell anyone anything.”

“Exactly. You failed to mention me once.”

Owen throws his hands up. “Wait, just a damn minute. You wanted us to be friends, remember?”

“You’re right, I said that.”

“Did you mean it?”

“The truth is, I don’t have the stamina to go toe to toe with Charlotte, or your former lifestyle.”

“Who’s asking you to? I love you for you, Tally.”

“But you don’t love me enough to negate Congressman Daniels’s blasé statement. You don’t love me enough to risk his deep pockets.”

“That’s bullshit. I never said I was with Charlotte.”

“You never denied the possibility of reconciliation, either. You had a chance. I was right there, but you changed the subject.”

“Tally, you need to understand—”

That does it. “No,youneed to understand. I’ve been understanding for the last two months! I had to understand when I discovered that you lied about being a doctor. I had to understand when I came face to face with a fiancée I didn’t know you had. I had to understand when you ask me to attend a party where you deny that I’m anything beyond your nurse manager. I’m all out of understanding, Owen. You’ve reached your quota.”

I storm out of the balcony. I need a drink, but since Nugget won’t allow me alcohol, fresh air will have to do. I push open the exit door, throwing my head back and willing my temper back into its cave.

I wish our situation was cut and dried, but it’s the exact opposite. It’s messy and sticky, and I’m not entirely sure how much more either of us can stand.

“Hey,” Owen slips his arm around my shoulder, and I hate how good it feels. Howrightit feels. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I’ve had a shitty couple of weeks, Owen.”

“I know, and instead of helping, I’ve made it worse.”

He takes the hat from my head and puts it on his own. It looks goofy as hell, perched on the top of his noggin.

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