Page 28 of You Can Leave Your Hard Hat On
Her cheeks felt wet, but she managed a smile. “Yes. It worked, Teague. You win. The joke’s on me because not only have I lost the biggest project of my career, but I also fell in love with you.”
Teague blinked. He’d expected Samantha’s anger but not her tears. Oh, maybe the ranting tears of a spoiled woman but not the dribbling tears of someone who seemed…hurt. Then he reminded himself that hurt to Samantha Stone was just a temporary inconvenience… any hurt she might be feeling was simply a bruised ego, nothing compared to the bone-cutting hurt that she’d inflictedon him with her careless, cruel note. The kind of hurt that left a young man feeling as if he’d never be good enough, that made him work harder and longer to achieve the monetary success that would fulfill him, that would force other people to look up to him.
Cynicism curled his mouth. “How convenient of you to suddenly proclaim your feelings for me after you realize that I’m not just a lowly ditch-digger.” He shook his head and emitted a harsh laugh. “No, I’m not going to fall for that again. As far as your precious library goes—there will be other projects. After all, you’re not the kind of person who will settle for less in life than you deserve.”
He walked past her and whistled for Dixon, who looked up at Samantha and whined.
“Dixon,” Teague said more firmly,“come.”
The dog looked at her with mournful eyes, then picked up the toy and followed Teague.
Teague glanced down at her shoes, soiled, presumably from the job site. “Don’t track dirt on my carpet when you leave.”
