Page 91 of No More Heartbreakers

God, I loved those arms. Kind of made me regret I’d be spending tonight pissing him off instead of wrapped up in them. But I continued.

He couldn’t tellmewhat to do with my life—or my dinner plans.

“Tell you what—I’m going to be in Athens doing a story and live shot for the six, but I’ll be free right after the show. Want to drive up and meet me and we can just eat there? Maybe somewhere in downtown?”

“Sounds great. I’ll call you when I get to town—should be around six-thirty, okay?” Hale said.

“Perfect. Looking forward to it.”

I hit the end-call button and slipped the phone into my purse then sat looking straight ahead at the highway, legs crossed, hands primly clasped on my knee.

In my peripheral vision Aric was staring at me. And staring. And staring.

“I’m having dinner with Hale tonight,” I finally blurted.

“I heard.” The words sounded like they’d been through a food processor.

I tried not to be defensive, keeping my tone matter-of-fact. “We have some things to discuss.”

A harsh exhale preceded Aric’s reply. “I thought you already discussedthings. I thought he understood it was over.”

He was angry. Goody. So was I.

“Well, we were together for years, Aric. I think I owe it to him to let him say everything he wants to say, give him full closure.”

Under his breath he muttered, “That’d better be allyou give him.”

“What?”

I was absolutely floored to hear him sound so possessive, as if a few weeks’ worth of booty calls and one family dinner entitled him to decide the kind of interaction I could have with Hale or any other guy for that matter.

It wasn’t like we were married or even engaged.

After a long, bruised silence Aric responded, “Okay. Fine. I’ll wait around in Athens while you have your talk with Farmer Hale, and after he gets hisclosure, I’ll drive you home.”

This was becoming more ridiculous by the minute. Did I have some kind of latent fetish for controlling men like my father? The thought was no less than terrifying.

“I had no idea you were such a control freak,” I said.

He shot a bitter look over at me. If he gripped the steering wheel any harder, the leather coating was going to start smoking, but his voice was calm and measured.

“I’m not a control freak, Heidi. I’m just not thrilled about the idea ofmy girlfriendgoing out for a cozy dinner with her ex. Who’s still in love with her.”

“He’s not in love with me. He’s never even told me he loved meonce. And I seem to remember you and I discussed this and agreed we’re not calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend. We’re just seeing where this goes.”

“AsIrecall, you handed that proclamation down from the mountain engraved on stone tablets, and I agreed because you left me no other choice.”

He took a deep breath, started to speak and stopped, then started again.

“And I believe that all changed the minute you told me you wanted to be with me and I made love to you. To make it clear, so there’s no miscommunication this time—I don’t want you to go out with him, and Ireallydon’t want you riding home with him tonight.”

“Well.” I paused, debating over whether to laugh or slug him while he was driving.

No. Physical abuse was never justified, even when the party in question was being completely unreasonable.

“Thank you for so explicitly stating whatyouwant.” I sounded like a fed-up teacher confronting the class clown.

“But I’ve already told him ‘yes,’ and I’m going. Hale and I dated for four years. I think I can manage a meal in a public place and an hour-long drive together without jumping his bones. Not that you’d have anyrightto say anything if I did, since you’re so anxious to ship me off to Nashville.”

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