Page 58 of No More Heartbreakers

“Yes, uh, sorry about that—”

He chuckled. “Please. Don’t apologize.”

I sat up straight. “I have to because, well, it was a mistake. I didn’t mean to do it, and it didn’t mean anything, and… it doesn’t change the situation.”

“Which is what?”

“You and I are co-workers and friends—and nothing more.”

“Really?”

Aric leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees and dangling the wine glass between them. He turned his head toward me.

“That’s what you want? Nothing more?”

I nodded, unable to even get the confirming lie out of my mouth.

“That’s interesting.” He lowered his eyebrows and rolled his lips inward then out, looking as if he was puzzling out a tricky equation. “Why do you suppose you kissed me then?”

“I… don’t know. I guess I was caught up in the moment, and your face was right there, and you looked so good, and…”

I was flustered by the amused glint in his eyes as he watched me squirm.

He sat looking like some kind of pagan fire god with the warm glow of firelight reflecting off of his face and his neck and the top of his chest where the first two buttons of his dress shirt were opened.

Oh sugar.

I wanted to lean over and kiss him again. What the hell was wrong with me? I should never have come here.

I stood abruptly and punched out my words. “It was just a kiss. You of all people should know it meant nothing.”

He rose to his feet as well, towering over me and standing much closer than I would have preferred.

“You’re going to have to enlighten me on that one. Why me, ‘of all people?’”

“Well… because of the way you are… all the girls.”

“What girls?”

He truly looked confused, bless his heart. This guy was good. He had somemajorgame. I was getting sick of the innocent act, though.

“What’s in your pocket?” I bit out.

“My pocket?”

“Yes. Reach into your pocket and pull it out.” At his dumbfounded expression, I continued, my voice acidic. “Thenumber.”

Aric slid his fingers into his front jeans pocket and pulled out the tiny slip of paper the cheerleader had given him.

I gave him a so-there glance.

“So?” He took a couple steps toward the fire and tossed the scrap into it.

The paper floated over the blaze then made contact and was immediately consumed in a burst of yellow flame.

“I didn’t ask for it. She just handed it to me.”

In response I folded my arms across my chest and dropped my chin in the universal gesture foroh please.

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