Page 255 of On a Fault Line

I’m just not that into him.

Of course, I feel bad about him paying so much for this date, just for it to be super lame, thanks to my crazy stalker ex-bodyguard boyfriend staring at our table as if he’s about to drag me from it by my hair and spank my ass until I see reason.

But I refuse to look at him.

He can sulk all he wants.

I’m not his.

I’m not anyone’s.

My phone buzzing in my handbag pulls my attention to it. Looking at the caller ID, I see that it’s Claire. “I need to take this. I’m sorry.”

“Of course,” Ivan says softly. “Go ahead.”

“Hey, Claire,” I answer. “What’s up?”

“I’m watching hospital commercials with the sick children and eating a key lime pie straight from the tin.”

It sounds like she’s having a better night than I am.

“Okay…”

“I need an intervention or my hormones are going to ignite, and I’m going to drive your brother to leave me for someone easier to deal with.”

“He’d never leave you, Claire,” I comfort.

“Angie’s on her way. I need girl time. Come now, please.”

I glance at the phone. It’s after seven in the evening. “Where is my brother?”

“He’s with Graham handling some business thing they refuse to give me details about.”

“Ha, sounds like my brothers.”

“Exactly. And I’m stuck here without a car. I mean, it’s not like I can fit between the steering wheel and the seat anymore anyway, even with it pushed entirely back. This baby has doubled in size, I think, in just the last week.”

“Okay, I’ll be there in probably twenty minutes. I’m going to schedule a ride now.”

I disconnect the call and am confronted with Ivan’s sad expression.

“You don’t have to explain,” he says gently. “I’m glad I found closure on forever wondering if we could be a thing.”

“I’m sorry…”

He offers a sympathetic smile. “I’ll settle for just being friends.”

“Of course. I can refund you the money you spent.”

Ivan holds his hands up. “It was for a good cause. I appreciate your dad taking me under his wing and teaching me the business before he steps away entirely.”

Sliding my chair back, I grab my handbag and rush out of the restaurant, not even bothering to acknowledge Collins.

Claire needs me.

And it feels damn good to have this friendship network in my life.

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