Page 70 of Breathless With Her

“You didn’t need to.”

I shook my head and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “You’re imagining things,” I lied.

“Gaslighter.”

I winced. “Okay, fine. Sorry. I’ll do better about not wanting to punch any guy in the face who looks at you weird or calls youbabe.”

She nodded her head primly. “That’s all I ask.”

“You don’t ask for much.”

“Oh. I do. Sometimes. But, anyway, thanks for bringing these around. Are you coming over tonight to watch the game?”

I nodded. “That’s the plan.”

“Bring your girl with you.” She grinned and walked away, and I just shook my head, smiling right back at her. “My girl,” I whispered to myself. I liked that.

In fact, I should go visit Erin. I had things to do today because I didn’t really get that many days off, but the time that I did have, I liked to be near her. I would just see what she needed, see if she was doing okay. I knew she was probably busy, but maybe I’d try to help. She didn’t accept assistance easily, but you never knew, perhaps I could get her to let me pitch in.

She had seemed sad that morning, had pulled away a bit. I figured it was about her dad, so I was going to figure out how to help.

Because I loved her.

Jesus Christ. I loved her.

And I needed to make sure that I got to keep her.

She was running around the kitchen when I walked in, her hair falling out of her bun, and things moving a mile a minute.

I immediately went to the sink, washed my hands, and looked down at her.

“Hey, let me help.”

She looked at me, her eyes wide. “Oh. You’re here. I thought I was going to see you later. I’m fine, Devin. I don’t need your help.”

“Your staff isn’t here.” I looked around and frowned. “Just let me help.”

“You shouldn’t be back here. You’re not on my staff, and you’re not covered under my insurance.”

My brows rose. “That didn’t really stop me before.”

“Because I was stupid, okay? I really don’t have time for this. You should go. I’ve got this. I have this all handled.”

“Yeah, you do. But you don’t have to do it on your own.”

“You don’t get it, do you?”

I frowned, shaking my head. “I don’t think I do at all.”

“Okay,” she said, letting out her breath. “You know what? I was going to do this later, but I can’t.”

I froze, blinking. “It’s over. It was fun while it lasted, but it can’t continue. I just need some space.” She said the words so quickly, I didn’t really comprehend them. It was like they weren’t actually coming from her mouth. Like it wasn’t really her.

What the ever-loving fuck?

Rage spilled out of me, and I tried to hold it back. I knew this likely had something to do with her dad, must have something to do with what had gone on in Fort Collins, but I was pissed. So fucking pissed. “What’s next? It’s not you, it’s me?”

“Hey, you know what? It’s a saying for a reason. We’ve had our time. But now it’s time to move on. We’re friends, right? Let’s just do that. I need some space.”

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