Page 72 of The Reality of Us
“Thank you, Frankie,” Owen snapped, and Alice cringed. She didn’t want to feel sorry for Frankie, but she couldn’t blame her for being surprised. As far as Frankie knew, Owen was an available, successful, hot guy. What single lady in their right mind wouldn’t flirt with him? Alice clenched her jaw, furious with herself. She focused on her breathing, but her body wouldn’t cooperate.
“We need to be more careful,” Alice muttered once Frankie had closed the door behind her.
Owen’s sigh made her purse her lips.
“Of standing near each other in an empty car park behind my office? Besides, Frankie doesn’t care …” he said.
Alice’s head snapped up, and she spun around so quickly that she almost lost her footing. “She’s probably already texting people, Owen. She hates my guts, and she’s your number one fan. What do you think the coffee and special muffins mean? All the offers to get your lunch for you. And why is Camille here?”
He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I have no idea what Camille wants. Frankie’s just being friendly. That’s what people do here.”
Alice snorted. How could someone so smart be so oblivious? “They sure do. I was so overwhelmed with friendliness when I arrived, especially from you.” She tried to swallow the bitter taste in her mouth, immediately regretting the low blow.
Owen’s jaw clenched. Maybe when he finished with Jessica’s case, he could cut some granite with the hard line of his jaw. “That was different.”
“Was it, though? You thought I was a spoiled rich kid who had never worked a day in her life. Guess I could only pretend to have my shit together for so long. Now you get to see the real Alice.”
How embarrassing. Mason jars and women she knew Owen wasn’t interested in at all were sending her spiralling. So much for personal growth.
He strode towards her. “I never thought that. Not even the first time when I stopped to help you with your car … after that, I was being professional,” he breathed out roughly, his hands tugging at his tie before settling on his hips.
“Whatever; I’ve worked too hard to lose all of this over a silly mistake.”
They looked at each other, locked in a staring contest. Owen broke first, his expression softening. “Why are you trying to start a fight right now?”
Alice dragged her foot through the gravel, shoulders sagging as all the anger left her body. “I’m not doing anything.” She hated how small her voice was.
“That’s not true and you know it,” he said. God, couldn’t he let her get away with it? Give her a free pass this one time? She knew she was being a cow.
“I know you’re having a bad morning and these last few months … years … have been really hard, but lashing out at people who are only trying to help isn’t a good idea.”
“Because I always need help? Which is why it’s so weird someone like you would be interested in me?”
Christ. What was wrong with her? She was reverting to a version of herself who she hadn’t been for a long time. This was exactly the kind of argument she used to have with Phoenix. About her weight or when he flirted with his fans.
“Where did that come from? That’s not what I mean. I think you’re amazing. If anyone’s keeping secrets here, it’s not me. Okay? I told you at the start of whatever this is that I don’t play games. I care about you a lot. But I don’t like this.” He gestured between the two of them. “You deserve better, and so do I.”
“I should make some phone calls.” Alice stared at the gravel.
“I’ll leave the back door unlocked. If you want help later, let me know.”
Owen was way too good for her. It had never been more apparent.
She swept her foot across the gravel again, in the opposite direction, smoothing the mess she’d made. If only the same could be said for the jumbled thoughts in her mind. “It’s okay. I’ll sort it out.”
He nodded once, disappearing into the building without a goodbye.
Alice spun on her heel, deflating when she saw the pallets.
Right. One disaster at a time.
“What do you want?” Owen said once Camille was in his office and the door was shut firmly behind them.
“I can’t even stop by to say hi?”
Owen dragged a hand down his face and undid his tie. Stupid thing was suffocating him. “I have a client waiting.”
Camille shifted forward so she was sitting on his desk. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms. “I need your help.”
