Page 34 of Booked for the Holidays
“Thank you,” I say to Jamie.
“For fuck’s sake,” Theo grunts. “Are you two going to keep flirting or fix the problem at hand? I thought you were smart, Bridget. Surely you can come up with a solution.”
The cruel and sarcastic words sting, pricking my skin like sharp needles. They were designed to hurt, and land like a savage assault on my emotions. My lip wobbles and I bite the sadness–and fury–away, breaking our eye contact. The apology from before is long forgotten as I plaster on a fake smile.
“Jamie,” I say, purposely ignoring the other man, “thank you for letting us know. We’ll clear out of here soon, and I promise it won’t happen again. I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate it, Bridget. All a simple misunderstanding! Theo, should we leave them alone to wrap up in peace?” Jamie asks.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Theo says.
“Are you sure? We–”
“Leave us alone.Please,” Theo says, more forcefully this time.
Jamie nods, knowing better than to argue, and hurries to the door.
When we’re alone, I level Theo with an uninterested look. “I have nothing to say to you, you gigantic asshole.”
He pauses before answering, caught off guard by my bluntness. Genuine concern replaces the previous occupant of annoyance, and he expels a ragged breath. “Fuck.” It’s a stifled curse, the vowel dragging out longer than necessary. “I made you mad.”
A thread in me snaps, patience finally,finallyrunning out. My voice shakes with anger as I continue on.
“Of course you made me mad. I don’t care that you interrupted. Walk in during a dildo discussion whenever you’d like. What I think is really lame is how you didn’t talk to me first, deciding to storm in here like a bat out of hell. I would have listened if you had come to me directly, like an adult, and let me know how you were feeling. I’m not giving into whatever game you’re trying to play. Instead of getting me in trouble, next time speak to me like an adult, so we can solve our problems without getting other people involved. We’re not in kindergarten, Theo. We don’t need a mediator to talk about things.”
I stunned him into silence. He huffs, a hand running through his hair and mussing up the pieces. Another huff. A clearing of his throat, and a rock on his feet.
“There’s no game. Next time you’re here late, can you at least give me a heads up?”
“Do you want me to send you a text with a PDF attached to let you know all of my plans?”
Theo unfolds his arms. Puts down his invisible weapons, and takes a step toward me. Another. And another. I don’t stop him. I don’t retreat. I don’t give him an inch. He rubs his temples, still grappling with what to say.
I hate that I’m not angrier, the sudden burst of rage gone.
I hate that I want him to pull me into his embrace–again–and nestle into his arms. Hand on my back, between my shoulder blades. Breath on my forehead. Gentle words in my ear.
I hate that I’m waiting for what he was to say.
I hate that I don’t hate it at all.
“Bridget.” His voice takes a smoky turn. The sharpness fades to regret. “I’m sorry. I hate large groups of people. I have since…” The sentence stops, and I hear the twinge of pain behind the unfinished words. “Joey walked in like he owned the place, turning a small complaint into a big deal. I promise that wasn’t my intention.”
“Are you calling him the wrong name on purpose to be a dick?”
“Come on, Boylston,” he murmurs, mouth tipping up. “You know that comes naturally.”
Damn him.
Damn him for owning up to his mistakes. For having a heart of gold somewhere under there.
And damn me for caring so much.
“I didn’t realize how loud we were being,” I admit. “It’s our first meeting, and now I know for next time how thin the walls are and how our voices carry. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I also didn’t mean to imply anything about your intelligence level. That was really shitty of me. And very untrue. You’re incredibly smart. I’m really, really sorry.”
“Wow. I think I like when you compliment me. And all your groveling is a nice touch, too. Are you going to get on your knees next?” I joke.
