Page 51 of The Seven Month Itch
Settle down.
I’m ready for a break, and she says what I’m thinking before I get the words out. “Want a drink?” Her ability to read my mind never ceases to amaze me.
“Sounds good. I was going to ask you the same thing.”
She flashes an irresistible smile and disappears to the bar. Who knows what the future holds, but tonight, I’m a blessed man.
Two hands wrap around my chest when I turn to make my way to the table. I look over my shoulder to see Madison’s dark gaze.
“I didn’t know you would be here.” She nuzzles her head against my back.
This cannot happen now.Justice will lose it.
The plan was simple. Talk to Emma. Find out more about Preston. Lay my cards on the table with Justice. I had every intention of apologizing to Madison for last night so she wouldn’t think there is anusand look at me the way she is right now. I told her I wouldn’t be here to buy myself enough time to patch things over with Jay before lunch tomorrow.
Assuming she takes me back and this doesn’t blow up in my face.
“It was a last-minute decision.” I peel her hands off my body. The weight of my tone signals something is wrong. She attempts to process what happened between last night and today, and damn it if I’m not an asshole. I should’ve called her earlier, but all I thought about was Justice. She is and always will be my priority.
Madison deserves more, someone who will give her his full heart. I never meant for last night to happen or to lead her on. She needs more than a two-second brush-off, which is why I need to tell her we have to talk tomorrow.
But I never get the chance.
Justice looks between us in a pained stare. She closes her eyes to fight back tears, and when her gaze lands on me, I know the damage is done.
Shit.
She throws our drinks in the trash and makes a beeline for the exit. But I’m not about to lose her again.
As I run after Justice, I yell back to Madison, “I gotta go!” She and I will talk at some point, but now is not that time. I need to find my wife.
Justice is in front of the elevator when I catch up to her. Her foot taps the carpet, and her arms are crossed against her chest. My approach is cautious. I might tower her by more than half a foot, but I’m not stupid. This woman makes a black mamba look tame when she’s upset.
“Justice,” I say in a soft tone.
She spins in a fury. “I'm not doing this anymore.”
I raise my hands in innocence. “I had no idea she would be here tonight. If I did, I wouldn’t have shown up. That’s God’s honest truth.”
She storms into the elevator when it arrives.
“Would you please talk to me?” I follow her in and press the button for the sixth floor out of habit. Fear creeps up the back of my neck at the thought of losing her for good.
“Why? What else is there to say, Terrence?” She wears the look of one of those women fromSnappedwho wants nothing more than to poison her lover and set his body on fire. I shift to the other side of the elevator to let her pace like she does when she’s mad. But I never take my eyes off of her.
“I don’t know what the hell to think anymore. I’m so stupid. Iknewsomething would happen. It always does with us.”
When the elevator doors open, she bolts down the hall, unaware we’re not on her floor. Luckily, she’s headed toward my room.
“Would you please slow down so I can talk to you?” I forgot how fast this woman is, even in heels. “Justice!” I do my best not to yell, but I would have an easier time talking to a brick wall at this point. I double my steps to catch up, and grab her by the arm.
“I said wait.” I turn her to face me. “No more running. We’ll talk about this—about everything—tonight.” I look down at her in a dare to challenge me. “Tonight. There’s no backing away from this conversation. It’s long overdue.” I pull my room key from my pocket with Justice’s arm in my other hand. She’ll sprint just to spite me if I let her go.
“Don’t treat me like a child.”
I shrug. “If the shoe fits, princess.” I wave my key over the sensor and hold the door open for her to go inside. “After you.”
She looks past me with a hardened expression and doesn’t budge. Stubborn woman.
