Page 34 of That Time in Venice
“What?” Her stomach bottomed out. How many times had she heard the same type ofquestion?
Why aren’t youmarried?
You’re a good woman. Are these men out hereblind?
Why isn’t there a ring on your fingeralready?
People thought those questions were compliments, but instead reminded her of how much she was lacking. She longed for a happy relationship with someone she loved and who loved her back, but her inferiority to other women was never far from her mind, and the reason she had to be so particular about the types of men shedated.
“You heard me.” His voice lowered. “You’re absolutelybeautiful.”
Anika never thought of herself in those terms. She was cute, and she’d even go so far as to say attractive on a good day, but beautiful was not a word she’d ever use to describe herself. He’d called her beautiful before, in the heat of passion, and she’d flushed at the wonder in his voice when he described her in thoseterms.
“You know you’re beautiful, don’t you? And sexy. You’re sweet, good with kids, you know how to pick the perfect restaurant. It doesn’t make sense.” Reed narrowed his eyes. “I know what it is. Are you secretly a serial killer or something? Youseemperfect, but there’s something wrong with you. Am Iright?”
Anika flinched involuntarily and her hands clenched in her lap. His teasing words were meant as a joke, but the comment almost unraveled her. Her situation—one that she’d learned to live with—on occasion managed to hurtlikehell.
“Hey, what did I say?” Alarm filled Reed’svoice.
Anika shook her head, staring down at her clenchedfingers.
“Anika.” He reached across the table, but she didn’t takehishand.
“I’m fine.” She pasted a smile on her face that she hoped appeared genuine. “As far as I know, there’s nothing wrongwithme.”
She heard Emerson’s voice again, telling her that was notthecase.
You’rebroken.
Anika fought back the hurtful words by draining the contents of her glass. She squared her shoulders. “So, tell me about your job. What exactly does an accountingmanagerdo?”
