Page 138 of Scandalous Contract
“What did I say that made you cry?” he asked, voice low, concerned.
I released an embarrassed chuckle, hating that he was seeing me this way.
“It wasn’t anything you said. I just...”
“Stefanie,” he whispered.
My gaze rose to his.
“What did I say that made you cry? I’ll never know if you don’t tell me. And I need to know.”
I held his gaze, wanting to look away but forcing myself not to. India’s voice drifted through my head, telling me that she wanted me to be happy, telling me that she wanted me to live my life.
I even heard Ronnie’s voice, telling me that it was time for me to let go of the past, something he told me all the time. And then there was Archie’s voice, telling me that I was a sorry excuse for a woman who couldn’t do the most basic thing that a woman should be able to do.
It was Archie’s voice that spoke the loudest, drowning out all the others. I lowered my gaze to the table, more tears streaming down my cheeks. I was so damn embarrassed. My shoulders shook as I tried to hold back my sobs.
I heard Julian’s chair scrape across the floor, but I couldn’t bring myself to look his way. This morning had started off well. How had I gone from flirting to crying?Ugh!What was wrong with me?
I tensed when I felt a hand on my knee. I looked down, and Julian was kneeling in front of me, Kleenex in hand. I accepted it and blew my nose.Ugh!This had to be the most unattractive thing he’d seen in his life.
Pull it together, Stefanie. All the man did was ask if he could be your fuck buddy for the entire summer. You should be happy. Why are you bawling?He rubbed circles on my back as I pulled myself together.
I accepted a second Kleenex from him to wipe my nose. I really wish I had a mirror to check my appearance.
“Feel better?” he asked, once the tears had subsided.
“No,” I mumbled. “I’m embarrassed.”
“Why?”
“You saw me cry.”
“Crying is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Still, it’s embarrassing. The morning was going so well,” I told him.
“It’s still going well.”
I chanced a glance his way. “Liar,” I whispered.
“I have no reason to lie to the woman I love,” he replied.
More tears filled my eyes.Ugh!
“Should I just be quiet, because I think I’m making it worse?” he told me, starting to sound panicked.
“It’s not you, it’s me,” I whispered.
“Five words no man wants to hear,” he countered, making me chuckle.
“I’m serious, Julian.” I swallowed before meeting his gaze again. “I...”
I took a deep breath and released it slowly. I didn’t even know what to say right now.
“Let’s start with, what did I say to make you go silent?” he told me.
I sighed. “It was the control part.”
