Page 91 of The Invitation

Met someone?It’s inadequate.Blindsided, derailed, smitten.“I don’t want them thinking that it’s more than it is.”

“What is it, Amelia?” he asks, his voice softening.

“I’m not sure.”

“Do you think you might figure it out soon and let me know?”

I brave facing him and wish I hadn’t. He doesnotlook happy. “There’s no need to be like that.”

“Yes, there is,” he barks, and I flinch. “Remember last night? This morning?” He moves in closer, and I retreat, scared for him to touch me. Scared I’ll get a waft of his lovely cologne. Scared he’ll saturate every sense I have. I need to think. I need space. “Right,” he says. Then he laughs under his breath, the sound far from amused. Anger. I see it brewing in him, his dark eyes darkening further. “You win.” He turns and stalks off, and I wilt, folding on the inside. My brain is asking me what the hell I’m playing at, sabotaging something amazing. My heart? That’s cheering me on, backing me up. Protecting itself.

It’s an all-out war going on inside me.

I back into the hallway and take a moment to compose myself, giving Clark a warning look.

“So who was it?” Grandma calls.

“Just a salesman,” I say, heading to the kitchen at the back of the house, my heart sinking. My head a mess.

I win?

So why do I feel like I’ve just lost?

Chapter 21

“So you had the best time of your life and then ended it?” Abbie asks from the treadmill beside me. “I don’t get it. Well, I do; you’re falling for him. You’re scared. You should have just asked him about the message. What it said. Who she is. We’re all adults.”

“I don’t want him to think I’m some crazed, possessive, dramatic woman.”

“Well, that’s very gallant of you, considering his reaction when he saw you talking to another man.”

“And kissing another man,” I grumble.

Abbie chuckles. “I still can’t believe you did that. Look, we all know you’re not crazed, dramatic, and jealous.”

Ifeltjealous. God, I don’t want to be that woman. Of course a man like Jude Harrison has a history. We all do. But history doesn’t text you repeatedly. I grimace. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Like what? What’s more interesting than your current mindfuck over a disgustingly handsome millionaire?”

“How’s Mum getting on at the shop?”

“Oh, yay,” Abbie drones. “So interesting.”

I scowl and increase the pace on the machine. Hopefully I’ll soon be so out of breath, I physically won’t be able to talk.

“Charming,” Abbie grumbles, knowing my game. “Whatever. I have to get to the wholesalers.” Slamming her fist on the slow button,she works her way down as I work my way up. “Charley wants to go out this weekend. She has some I Owe Yous she wants to spend.”

I nod, unable to talk, already out of breath.

“I’ll call you later to see if you’ve pulled your head out of your arse.”

Another nod and another slight increase of the machine. I run fast, until my legs are numb, my heart is thrashing, and the sweat is pouring off me.

How will you make me sweaty and wet?

“Fuck!” I yell, wedging my hands into the bars and lifting my feet off the runner, setting them on the sides. I stare down at the belt spinning beneath me, Jude’s voice haunting me.

I’m in a lot more trouble now than I was an hour ago.

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