Page 144 of The Manny

There was my answer, cloaked in concern for Mia. My chest ached painfully at his rejection, but I did my best to keep my expression emotionless. Somehow, I managed to croak, “I’ll tell her very soon.”

“Good.” He didn’t look at me as he said, “I hope you find what you’re looking for, Thomas.”

“Right. You too.” I couldn’t be in the same room with him any longer, so I moved toward the door. I could feel him watching me, but I needed to get away from him before my emotions got the better of me.

“Night Thomas,” he called out.

I didn’t respond. I just kept walking with my head down. Once I reached my room, I sat on my bed, feeling numb. I still vividly remembered the first time I’d met Jack here at his house. We’d butted heads from the beginning, and it hadn’t been an easy road. Even back then, I’d instinctively known he wouldn’t be one of my greatest success stories.

What I hadn’t realized was that he’d end up being my greatest heartbreak.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jack

I woke up with one hell of a hangover. Memories of last night came flooding back and, groaning, I sat up. The expression on Thomas’ face when I’d rejected him had been agony to witness. Gut-wrenching.

He’d been rightfully peeved when I’d finally come home last night. He’d assumed that I’d hooked up with someone, and I’d let him believe that. He thought I didn’t want him. Neither of those things were true.I wasn’t interested in seeing anyone else. He was the one who was dating that loser Crispin. My stomach churned picturing the two of them together. Shouldn’t Crispin be the one to beg him not to go to Germany?

I frowned, thinking about our conversation. Why had he stayed here last night? Why hadn’t he run to Crispin? Guilt surged as I pictured him sitting here all night, waiting and waiting for me to come home. I winced because the image of that was physically painful. Even if I couldn’t give him what he wanted, why did I have to be so insensitive? Maybe it was the only way I kept myself from giving in to him. Going to Germany would be the best thing for him. At least, that was what I told myself any time I felt weak about my choice to not be in a relationship with him.

I got out of bed and showered. When I went into the kitchen, Thomas was there, making eggs. My stomach tensed as I neared him. His hair was damp and he was dressed casually in shorts and a white T-shirt.

“Good morning,” I said in a gravelly voice, trying my best not to stare at his bare legs.

“Morning.” His voice was bright and he even smiled at me over his shoulder. I had to hand it to him, he was a good actor. If it wasn’t for the lines beneath his eyes, I’d have thought he was happy as a clam. “Coffee is ready. Would you like two eggs or one?”

“Uh… two?”

“Toast?” As he spoke, he scooped two fried eggs onto a plate.

I sighed. “You don’t have to fix me breakfast, Thomas. I know you’re upset with me.”

He scowled. “This is still my job for the next few weeks.”

“Even so.” I poured cream into my coffee.

He set the spatula down carefully and faced me. “I’m not going to fall apart because you rejected me, Jack. I have a job to do, and I’m going to fulfill my duties until I leave for Germany.”

“But, Mia is your job and she’s not here. You should have slept in.”

“No need.” He grabbed the toast when it popped up, and efficiently buttered it. Then he carried my plate to the table and set it down. “I got up because I’m meeting a friend in a bit.”

“Oh.” I sat down. Who was he meeting? Crispin?

He stood beside the table, his arms crossed. “It doesn’t need to be awkward between us. We’re adults. Things didn’t work out how I’d have liked, but I’ll live.”

I held his emotionless gaze. “You’ll end up thanking me. Trust me. You have your whole life ahead of you, and the last thing you need is to be saddled with a dysfunctional mess like me.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Surprised at his response, my face warmed. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “I think I got carried away because the sex was so good between us.” He gave a jagged laugh. “You’re right though. This is for the best.”

Wrestling with my ego, I frowned and concentrated on my eggs, breaking the yolk with my fork. Last night he’d seemed heartbroken, but this morning he appeared happy with the outcome. Was he bipolar or something? Was he trying to use reverse psychology on me? “I’m glad you’ve… accepted things.”

“Me too.” He sighed. “What do I have to complain about? I mean, I get to live in Germany. How cool is that? Working for the ambassador will make my resume shine.”

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