Page 107 of Tangled Kisses
Baby, look at me.
I bore holes into her visage, desperate for her to meet my gaze, to see that all she needs is right here.
With me.
“You told me how cold he was to you,” I press, stepping closer. “How poorly he treated you. You deserve more than that, Reese. You love love and need to be drowning in it. I saw you last night. I felt you.”
Talk about words landing wrong. I thought they might reassure her she was safe to lay down her armor. She was safe with me.
Instead, she curls her hands into fists and squeezes her eyes shut as a scoff flies past her lips. “Love? Love is thelastthing I need.”
Another punch in the gut, especially since I planned on saying those three little words to her on our next date. But I know I haven’t done anything except adore her, so I keep pressing.
Tossing my hat on a chair, I walk around her desk and squat down beside her. Who gives a crap what I smell like right now? “Reese, please. Talk to me.”
But when I reach for her hands, she pushes her chair away. “Look, I’m running late. I was supposed to be on the road twenty minutes ago.”
Road? Where is she going? What the hell is happening?
I’m tempted to gather her in my arms and force her to talk, but I get the distinct impression it will only make things worse. She’s behaving like a cornered animal, desperate for escape.
Time for a different tack. “Give me half an hour and I’ll go with you.”
Reese grabs her phone and keys, slipping them into her purse. “You’re working this weekend, remember?”
Christ, she’s right. I need every dollar right now.
“Uh,” I run a hand over my head, trying to see how to rearrange my schedule with Capri—again. “Maybe I can work a few double shifts next week?—”
“Don’t worry about it. While I appreciate your offer to accompany me, I’d prefer some time alone. I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine.”
“Then at least tell me where you’re going.” And please don’t say New York.
Reese chews her lower lip, averting her gaze. “I’m not entirely sure yet. I’ll let you know when I get there.”
My stomach drops. I know this woman well enough to catch the tell—the way her eyes flick away too fast. She’s lying. To my face.
“You’re late but you haven’t picked a destination? How does that work?” The words burst out, rough and unguarded, and Reese’s head jerks up, startled by my tone.
I scrub a hand over my face, forcing down the anger clawing through me. “Just talk to me, Reese. You can tell me anything.”
For a second, I swear she might. But then she shakes her head and pushes herself to standing. “I can’t, Griffin. If you care about me atall, you’ll give me some space.”
The door clicks shut behind her, the sound final as a coffin lid.
I stand there, pulse hammering, replaying every word, every look, searching for the crack where it all went wrong. Is she upset about her bachelorette party? About walking away from Vander? Or is it me?
What happened between our amazing connection last night and this afternoon, where she feels like she’s miles away from me?
For a split second, the thought guts me—did she just use me? Was I a distraction, a way to prove something to herself before she goes back to the life she was meant for? A man like me, stinking of horse shit and hay, was never supposed to be in her world. She was set to marry into one of the richest families on Long Island. And now she’s looking at me like I’m the mistake.
I’ve faced down plenty of things in my life, but watching her walk away from me feels like the only fight I don’t know how to win.
I leaveReese’s office a few minutes later, every muscle in my body fighting the urge to chase her down. To grab her, hold her tight, and demand she tell me what the hell’s going on. Even covered in horse stink, I’d tackle her in the middle of the goddamn hallway if it meant breaking through the wall she just threw up.
But she asked me for space. And as much as it’s killing me, I’m going to respect that.
Out in the corridor, I rake a hand over my face, tug my phone from my back pocket, and scroll to Piper’s number. Maybe she knows what’s eating at her sister.
