Page 84 of Whisper of Surrender (Whisper Lake 2)

“She laughed her ass off, that’s what she did. She thought it was hilarious that I would believe that story. She said that you asked me because you’ve always had feelings for me and this was your way in.”

She saw a flash of recognition, like he’d been caught, but then it was gone and his face was back to being a mask that she was unable to read.

Deciding it was now or never, she laid it all out on the table. “At first, I thought she was high or something, but she had some pretty compelling evidence. You running by my house, showing up at events just because you knew I was going to be there, coming up with this plan because you knew I wouldn’t go out with you if you just asked me.

“So, is she right? Did you ask me as a way in or was it really because you were tired of being set up?”

She pronounced really in such a way as to be sure to let him know it sounded ludicrous.

Ethan’s jaw ticked and she could see he was choosing his words carefully. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Great! If it doesn’t matter then man the fuck up and just answer the question.” She was trying to push his buttons. She didn’t want him controlled, if he was controlled he wouldn’t reveal the truth. “You had the balls to ask me to pretend to be your girlfriend and then sleep with me, have the balls to tell me the truth as to why. Was Ali right? Were you asking me because you knew I wouldn’t go out with you any other way?”

He knew that she was trying to get under his skin, and it was working. “Yes.”

“And what about the ballet, and the movie night, and the art festival, did you go to those things just to see me?”

“Yes.”

“And running by my house? Were you doing that on purpose to drive me crazy?”

“No.”

She crossed her arms again and stared at him. Out of everything she’d just pointed out that was the one that she’d been absolutely sure of.

“Not at first.” He sighed. “I started running by there after your surgery. I don’t know why just seeing your house made me feel better, but it did. Then it became my routine.”

“Your routine?”

“Yes.”

“And your ‘routine’ just happens to coincide with the time I leave for work in the morning? And your ‘routine’ happened to be taking your shirt off right when you passed my house?”

“No, those were intentional.”

Vindication infused through her. She knew she’d been right. “To drive me crazy.”

“I figured it’s only fair since you’ve driven me crazy for so long I don’t even remember what being sane feels like,” he admitted, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

“Good.”

“Good?”

“Yes. We drive each other crazy. That means things won’t get boring between us.”

“There is no us.” His nostrils flared.

It was clear that he was fighting what was between them and she thought she had a pretty good idea why. “Bullshit.”

“Jess—”

“I told you, don’t Jess me! Why did you tell me about your dad and being found in the alley?”

“What?”

“Why? Why did you tell me that? Was it just so you could sleep with me?”

“No.” His anger was palpable from just the mere suggestion.

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