Page 74 of Pretty Cruel Love

“Sir, I would suggest picking out your blooms before our closing bell rings,” I say. “I’m off today, so contrary to what the owner said, I can’t help you with anything.”

“So, you’re still a stuck-up bitch?” He smirks. “I like that. People who are who they are, through and through.”

I squeeze my hand around a rose stem so hard that the thorns prick my skin.

“I could use someone like you in my inner circle.” He’s still talking as if this conversation means something to me, as if I’m secretly enamored by seeing him again. “It’s hard to know who’s real and who’s fake when you get to my level.”

“I’m sure it’s not that hard to keep track of who you raped,” I say. “I’ll pass on your offer.”

“What did you just say to me?”

“I said, ‘fuck you.’” I glare at him. “And I’m not interested in spending another second around my rapist.” I storm away and set down ten dollars on the checkout counter before slipping out the back entrance.

Hot tears are falling down my face, and my heart is aching. I wish I’d said sharper words to him, and I feel filthy for being in his presence again.

Just get home and take a bath. Just get home and take a bath.

“You said I raped you?” Jonathan’s voice roars from behind me, but I keep moving forward. I pick up my pace.

The alley stretches across four buildings and as long as I can reach building two where the restaurant is, I can?—

“Stop fucking ignoring me.” Jonathan grabs me from behind and spins me around, crushing my plans. “Say that I didn’t rape you.”

I say nothing.

“Sadie...” He pushes me against the bricks. “Sadie, I’ve been nothing but nice to you tonight, and last I checked, you got a lot of benefits for trying to bring me down in high school.”

The tears fall even faster now, and I hate that this man is seeing me cry.

“It’s time for you to finally be honest with yourself.” He drags a hand across my wet face, smearing my tears instead of clearing them. “We had consensual sex. It wasn’t rape.”

“Please get the fuck away from me, Jonathan Baylor.” I manage. “Please just leave me alone.”

“I will, once you leave me alone.” He grits his teeth. “I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been sending letters about what you think happened between us to the media.”

What?

“You see me succeeding, just like you did in high school, and because I don’t want you—or because you couldn’t have me then—you’ve decided to try to ruin my life again.”

“I haven’t told anyone anything.” The mercurial look in his eyes is scaring me. “Nothing happened the last time, so why would I try again?”

“That’s a good-ass question,” he says. “That’s why I wasted time out of my life to track you down and figure this out.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“So, you’d be willing to sit down with my lawyer and sign a statement saying that I never raped you, correct? Sometime between right now and tomorrow, correct?”

“No…” I shake my head. “No…”

“That’s the wrong answer, Sadie.”

“I haven’t said anything to anyone, I swear.” My voice cracks. “Maybe it was one of the other girls you raped… I’m sure I’m not the only one.”

A painful burning flash flares across my cheek, and I slump onto the ground.

My vision blurs, and it takes me several minutes to realize that he’s slapped me.

Clinging to my roses, I struggle to stand, but the burning flash comes again.

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