Page 211 of Skate the Line

“What—” I clear my throat because she winces at my tone. “What is this?”

If I wasn’t so angry, I’d be impressed with her ability to remain calm. Months ago, fear would have been obvious as it worked over her features. But she is impressively composed at the moment. It makes me wonder if I made up this entire thing between us.

Was I the only one who believed that we were more than what we were?

How could I let myself get thissucked in?

“I…” She exhales.

I take a step back. I can’t even stand to look at her.

“You wanted to slip into our lives just to leave when things finally became normal?” My tone is anything but kind.

A flash of hurt moves over her face, but she quickly whisks it away. Her arms cross against her towel, and I’m so disoriented that I can’t think straight.

“Normal?” she whispers. “This isn’t normal.”

She’s referring to us.

It may make me less of a man to act desperate, but I make the move to do so anyway.

“You’re right,” I say. “You and I and…this thing between us…we can put a stop to it.”

Anything to make you stay.

A soft, sarcastic breath fills my ears, and I hate that I love the sound of it.

“Do you really believe that, Rhodes?”

“If it makes you delete that email, yes.”

Stay. Please.

I don’t know if I want her to stay for Ellie’s sake or mine.

I think it may be both.

“I can’t.” She won’t meet my eye. “But I have a list of great nannies that will be able to replace me. I know each of them personally and?—”

“I don’t want another fucking nanny!” I shout.

I want you.

She jumps, and her gaze falls to the floor.

I spin and put my back to her.

In the worst way, I want to stalk over to her, grab her by the waist, and press her onto the wall, demanding she explain herself.

It doesn’t make sense.

It’s so sudden.

I don’t understand, but with her proving to be like all the rest, I don’t even want to try to.

I’m not going to stand here in denial and beg her to stay when she clearly doesn’t want to.

She fooled me, and that’s my fault.

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