already knew this, but her dress accentuates it.
She’s a work of art.
“You’re very beautiful tonight. This white and gold combination suits you.”
My voice is gentler, and she glances up at me from under her lashes. “Thank you. I know you don’t give out compliments freely.”
“Only an idiot gives out compliments freely. Or a person who wants something.”
“And you want nothing from me. Don’t worry. I remember.”
She’s so wrong.
I want to hold her again. I want to wrap my arms around her and sway side to side, tell her I can’t stop thinking about her. It’s because she fucking walked out on me last time. I wasn’t ready to let her go, and yes, I know this goes against my principles. This sort of thinking leads to messy, messy trouble, and even my bullshit cold façade doesn’t work when she’s around… She is that fucking ember melting my walls.
“So you’re saying you want to be friends?”
Her bottom lip slides between her teeth. It’s a tantalizing quirk.
“I’m saying I want to treat you. I know we have a history, but I really do respect your boundaries. As your therapist, they would be my boundaries as well… and Lord knows I could use the work.” She looks up at me, and this time she’s not being coy.
“Why do you care so much, Joselyn?”
We’re walking slowly towards the balcony, and I lift another flute off the waiter’s tray. She does the same.
“Remember that old fable about the lion who was going to eat the mouse, but in the end let him go? Then later, when the lion had been captured by hunters, that same mouse showed up and chewed through the ropes and set the lion free?”
“Everyone knows that story. I don’t know how it applies to this situation.”
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” She blinks those ocean eyes up at me. “I owe you one. Or several.”
“I release you from your debt.”
“You can’t do that. The universe knows, and if I don’t repay you, my karma will be all messed up.”
Outside, the briny air is warm and breezy. It sends her pretty hair swirling, and the moonlight touches her in silver. The waves create a soothing backdrop, and I remember last night, the touch of her hands.
“Your position is giving me a massage is going to repay me?”
She turns and leans her back against the balcony rail. “Perhaps while I’m healing your muscles, you might let me heal whatever else is strained… or broken.”
“I’m trying to decide if your suggestion is dirty or presumptive.”
“I’m not being dirty at all. I’m being serious. Maybe I can show you it’s safe to step outside that frozen castle.”
“Why do I feel like this is more Disney?”
“It’s only Disney if you’re a tiny princess with magical powers. I don’t think that’s the case, is it?”
She’s teasing again, her pretty, pretty eyes sparkling, and I polish off the rest of my champagne.
“No.” It’s time to go.
“Are you angry?”
I don’t answer her. I simply leave the balcony, leave her there with her witchy ways trying to trap me. I haven’t eaten enough, and I can’t drink any more wine.
I’ve done my part to show up for Miles’s gala. I haven’t met with all my clients, but if I stay any longer, I’ll do something foolish.
“Spencer?” I hear her voice behind me, and I’m caught in the center of the room by Miles.
“Here you are. I need you to lose the scowl and show a little love to Grafton. Heather is here, but she’s pissed because of something Rick apparently said. I think he’s been over-served, and now he’s hitting on all the single women.”
“Get Daisy to do it,” I growl. “My back—”
“Oh, look, there he goes again.” Miles nods his head in the direction behind me. “Although I’m pretty confident Daisy’s cousin can kick his ass. She’s a pistol.”
Rage blazes in my stomach, and I turn around to see Rick with his hands on what my addled brain is insisting is mine.
I don’t even try to fight it. I cross the room and take her by the wrist, pulling her to me.
“Oh, hey, I see you know Spencer…” Rick’s voice goes from jolly to confused. “Wait a minute… What’s going on?”
“Why don’t we go and have some bread?” I hear Miles pinch-hitting behind me, but my patience is blown.
“What are you doing?” Joselyn tugs her wrist against my grip, but I only hold her tighter, pulling her into the foyer.
Her skin is so soft.