Page 27 of Crocodile Tears
“Assuming he doesn’t spend the entire evening scanning for imaginary threats…” I turn back to my computer, still grinning.“Yes, I’m seeing him again.”
Themorningpassesproductivelyuntil my phone rings with a number I recognize but haven’t seen in more than a week.My good mood evaporates instantly.I answer coldly.“Dr.Lawson speaking.”
“Becci, it’s Trenton.”
The affected charm in his voice makes my skin crawl.Trenton Whitfield, my former boyfriend and current reminder of why I’d rather date potentially paranoid security consultants than pretentious academics.
“Trenton.What do you want?”
“That’s a bit cold.Don’t you think?Can’t an old friend call to see how you’re doing?”
I lean back in my chair, already annoyed.“We’re not friends, Trenton.We’re exes, who broke up because you suggested I tone down my ambition to be more appealing to potential mates.”
“Now, that’s not exactly what I said—”
“That’s exactly what you said.Along with suggesting I take up cooking or some other traditionally feminine hobby to seem more approachable.”I can practically hear him adjusting his pretentious glasses.“So again, what do you want?”
He clears his throat with the pompous precision that used to make me want to throw things.“If you must skip pleasantries, I’m calling about my jacket.The one you damaged during our… disagreement.”
“You mean the hideous tweed jacket with the leather elbow patches that you insisted made you look distinguished?”
“It’s a classic academic style, Rebecca.Very expensive, and very refined.”His voice takes on the whining quality that means he’s building up to a demand.“And you destroyed it when you shifted during our argument.”
“I shifted because you were being an insufferable ass about my career choices.”
“That’s hardly the point.The jacket cost fifteen hundred dollars, and your claws completely shredded the left sleeve.”He pauses dramatically.“I think it’s only fair that you pay for the replacement.”
I stare at the phone in disbelief.“You want me to pay for your ugly jacket?”
“It wasn’t ugly.It was distinguished, and yes, I think you should take responsibility for the damage you caused.”
Margo looks up from her computer with obvious interest, clearly picking up on my rising irritation.
“Trenton, you told me my dedication to science was intimidating to men and suggested I find a nice hobby like making cookies to make myself more marriable.”My voice rises with remembered outrage.“If I damaged your jacket during that conversation, it was justifiable property destruction.”
“Becci, be reasonable—”
“Reasonable?You want reasonable?”I stand up, pacing behind my desk.“It’s reasonable to be honest under the circumstances.You’re a pretentious, condescending jackass, who thinks women should hide their intelligence to stroke male egos.The fact that I only damaged your jacket instead of your face shows remarkable restraint on my part.”
He gasps softly.“There’s no need to be cruel.”
“There’s every need to be cruel.You dated me for ten weeks and spent the entire time trying to make me smaller.”I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.“The answer is no, Trenton.I’m not paying for your ridiculous jacket.Buy a new one with your tenure money and leave me alone.”
His voice sounds pinched.“You’ve become very aggressive, Rebecca.It’s not attractive.”
“I’ve become very tired of men who think my competence is a character flaw.As to being unattractive to you, thank goodness.”I glance at Margo, who’s listening with obvious fascination.“Goodbye, Trenton.”I hang up before he can respond, my hands shaking slightly with residual anger.
“Wow,” she says into the silence.“He totally had that coming.”
I nod.“Yes, and I finally got to say at least some of what I’d stored up during the colossal mistake of time I wasted dating him.”
Her grin grows.“You sure did.Maybe it will help him reach some self-awareness.”
I snort and collapse into my chair again.“I doubt it.The worst part is that he probably thinks he was being helpful.Like he was doing me a favor by pointing out my personality flaws.”I take a large gulp of coffee, trying to wash away the bad taste of that conversation.“God, talking to him makes Calvin’s paranoia seem refreshingly honest.”
“Good.What else was better about Agent Scales?”
I manage a small smile at the ridiculous name she’s given him.“Calvin never once suggested I tone down anything about myself.Even when I was lecturing him about enzyme kinetics and accidentally bit him during that kiss, he acted like my shifter biology was fascinating rather than problematic.”I smile despite my irritation with Trenton.“He actually seemed to appreciate my professional intensity.”
