Page 35 of Tormented Billionaire Romance Series

“You can't prove that.”

She sighed. “Levon, what about Clara?”

“WhataboutClara?”

“How are you going to repair your friendship with her if you're just running off again?”

I scoffed. “Who said I wanted to be friends with her?”

“No one—but I could tell by how heated you got the other day about the aisle arrangement that you still care a lot for her. You care a lot more than you're letting on.”

“That's not important right now.”

“No, itisimportant right now. You're denying your feelings. That isn't healthy.”

I ran a hand through my hair, rubbing my scalp. I would give anything for a shoulder massage right now. “My job keeps me busy and I'm okay with that.”

“But it's making you shove your feelings aside. That's not okay. At least, I'm not okay with that. I want you to be happy, Levon.”

“I know.”

“Then, why run off again? Why leave Clara behind? Don't you want to see what can happen?”

I shook my head sadly. “I know.”

“Do you know what I noticed the other night at dinner?”

“What?”

“You seemed mildly excited at the idea of being paired with Clara.”

“No, I was angry. And I did well to keep that pretty tame.”

She sighed. “Well, your eyes betrayed you. They practically lit up.”

“You must have been seeing things.”

“I couldn't have been. We weren't drinking yet.”

I chuckled nervously. “I don't know, Jen. It wouldn't ever work out. I have work and she has Checotah. It would still be the same situation. And by what Gabe told me, she's still pretty firm in her beliefs.”

“So? That doesn't mean you couldn't try to change something.”

“Why would I change?”

“Because we do that for the people we love. We change so we can accommodate for the people around us when they have specific requests.”

I stared at her rigidly. “You mean like honoring Clara's feelings by moving her?”

“Sure—I did that without her saying a word because I love her. And I paired her with you more by accident than you think. But I think you need this. I think you two need to talk.”

“We have been talking.”

She rolled her eyes. “Talking in passing isnottalking.”

“I don't think she's interested in talking to me.”

“You don't know that for sure. I'm willing to bet my whole wedding budget that you haven't even asked if she wants to talk.”

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