Page 66 of Wine & Whiskey
Hopefully not their friendship. She leans forward, grasping the edge of his desk. “I know you don’t agree with my choices, but I still want you in my life.”
“I wish you would have listened to me from the beginning. Then you wouldn’t be in this mess.”
She also wouldn’t be in love, happier than she thought possible after Evan. The right relationship with whom everyone thinks is the wrong man.
“You love him, don’t you?” His shakes his head at her smile before his eyes roll to the ceiling. “That’s perfect. You love him, he loves you, and I’ll probably be attending your funeral soon. Good thing I just bought a new suit.”
Her cheeks burn as hot as if he’d slapped her. Jason may be a drama king, but she refuses to put up with his cruel remarks. “I have to go.”
He races around the desk and grabs her arm as she turns away. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just scared to death I’m going to lose you.”
Shrugging him off, she points to his chest. “If you were really my friend, you would love me no matter what. Just like I have you all these years, even when you didn’t love yourself.”
His hands rub over his bare head, resting on the back of his neck. His fingers blindly trace the tattered rope tattoo, a reminder of how close she came to losing him. “I know. You saved me, and I’m only trying to do the same for you.”
“I don’t need saving. I just want your friendship.”
“You have it. Even if I’m frustrated at you, I still love you.” He pulls her into a hug, and they hold each other until a new song plays from the ceiling speaker. “But I can’t sit by and watch him destroy you.”
“He’s not—”
“He told me once never to put you in the position to have to defend him. That’s not possible when you’re with him.”
Her heart races at the ultimatum behind his words. She steps back and scans his face, but he won’t meet her eye, his gaze focused on the window behind her. “What are you saying?”
“I’m sorry, but you know how I feel about him. I can’t be a part of this.”
“That’s it? You’re really making me choose between you?”
He shakes his head before walking back to the laundry area and yanking open the dryer door. Years of friendship ending because of her new beginning.
“Jason, please?”
The growing stack of folded towels is her only answer.
Back at the house, she thanks Max with a forced smile and rushes upstairs. Ready to curl into a ball and let all of her grief rain out with her tears, her stomach lurches at Spencer walking through the bedroom, flipping wall switches. A cocky smirk crosses his face, clearly amused at her shock to find him there. “Good morning!”
He’s just working. Like Nick said—taking care of the house and grounds. She smiles, pushing away her apprehension, reminding herself it’s unwarranted. “Good morning. What’s going on?”
He rattles the brown box in his hand before lowering it enough to reveal the contents. “Changing light bulbs. It’s part of my morning routine to go room by room and see what needs to be fixed.”
Perfectly logical explanation. No need to be afraid. She nods, attempting to be gracious. “Well, thanks for checking, but we don’t have any that are out.”
His mouth twists in disapproval. “We, huh? It didn’t take you very long to make yourself right at home here, did it?”
Heat races from her neck to her cheeks at his ambiguous implications. None of which are flattering. “I think you need to—”
“What do I need to do?” The innocent-sounding question contrasts with the dread flooding her body. He steps closer, his wordless threat hovering between them, as the fruity tartness of his gum wafts across her face.
“Go.”
A bright smile returns. “Okay, sure. I’m glad you’re comfortable. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know. See you later.” Concealing his intimidation with a light-hearted whistle, he winks and strides out of the room.
With trembling hands, she locks the door behind him before sliding to the floor cradling her head.
Juan. Jason. Spencer.
Her mother was mistaken. It’s not just her heart she needs to worry about.
