Page 176 of Strange Seduction
I watched her squirm to call him, and it made me feel…good. Maybe better than I felt after seeing Marcus. Knowing I could exert some control over someone and have them fear my reaction was like a breath of fresh air.
Doubt: You’re becoming one scary bitch.
Maybe that was what was needed to survive these next few days here.
These bitches were vicious, and if my father’s death taught me anything, it was that I needed Theo.
Doubt: That’s just the grief talking.
No, it wasn’t.
I had been trying so hard to fight the obvious, but the truth was so clear. I needed him.
When Alyssa called me and told me about everything he did to make sure I was okay after hearing about my father, I knew I needed to stay with him for a while. At least until I was ready to go back to New York, which could take days.
It didn’t matter, though. I have what I need right here.
Doubt: Carmen, don’t lose sight of everything you worked for. Theodore is good, and how he stood by you during your father’s death was amazing. But you still have a life in New York. Marcus won’t wait forever. Be smart about this.
I’m not giving up anything. I just…need time. I’ll handle my life how I see fit. We’re good.
I felt it—eyes. Someone was watching me.
I glanced to the side and sure enough, Vince was standing near the corner of the lobby, arms crossed, jaw tight. He wasn’t even pretending not to stare.
The receptionist cleared her throat.
“Ms. Reyes,” she said carefully. “Mr. Clayton’s in a meeting at the moment, but he said you can wait for him in his office.”
I kept my eyes locked on Vince as I replied, “Oh, okay. Thanks.”
I turned toward the elevator, heels clicking deliberately, tension simmering between my shoulder blades. I didn’t need to look back to know Vince was following. I felt him behind me, close enough to breathe down my neck.
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped in.
Silence.
Halfway up, he spoke.
“You got me in trouble.”
I snorted. “Yougot yourself in trouble.”
“I’m not talking about work.”
I crossed my arms and turned to face him. “Vince—”
“He doesn’t deserve you,” he cut in. “And he’s making you a miserable person. Look at how you talked to the lady down there.”
I flinched, just a little. He’d said it with a calm edge that landed harder than if he’d raised his voice. I didn’t answer right away. Because for a second, I did think about it.
The part of me that had enjoyed watching her squirm. It was ugly. And it didn’t feel like me. It was Carmen from college.
“You don’t know me,” I said finally, keeping my voice even.
“I know enough,” he said, stepping a little closer. “I know you’ve changed since you got here. I know you used to smile more. Laugh more. And now?”
He paused, and I hated how sincere he sounded.
