Page 69 of The Hang Up
CHAPTER14
“You are a complete dumbass.” Ellie grabbed hold of Jason’s tie and cinched it a whole lot tighter than it needed to be.
He stepped back, freeing the tie from his sister’s clutches as he turned to straighten it in her hallway mirror. She probably had a point, but she didn’t need to strangle him to prove it.
“Why am I a dumbass?” he muttered. “Because I haven’t mastered the art of the Windsor knot? Sue me, I’m an adventure guide. It’s not like I was born a CEO.”
“No, but you were born an idiot, apparently.” Ellie folded her arms over her chest and shook her head.“I wasn’t talking about the tie, you moron. I was talking about the fact that you haven’t called Miriam for almost two weeks.”
“I called,” he insisted, keeping his focus on the tie so he wouldn’t have to meet his sister’s accusatory gaze. “I called the day after she got hurt to make sure she was okay. I even sent flowers.”
“Right. That’s exactly what every woman wants from the guy she’s in love with. A bunch of generic roses in lieu of conversation or physical contact.”
Jason scowled and turned to face her. “She’s not in love with me,” he insisted, pretty sure it was true. “This just isn’t a good time for a relationship.”
“You are such a jerk.” Ellie shook her head in disgust. “Sheisin love with you, just like you’re in love with her. It’s fucking obvious to anyone who’s seen the two of you together.”
“Which hasn’t happened for two weeks, as you just pointed out. Clearly, she’s over me.”
Ellie rolled her eyes and shoved at his chest. “I talked to her yesterday, idiot. She’s helping me with my website. I could tell the second I brought up your name that she’s still hung up on you, though I can’t for the life of me figure out why.”
Her words made Jason want to punch himself in the face, but they also sent a warm current shooting through his chest. So Ellie had talked to Miriam? His whole body stung with envy. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her for the last two weeks. About her kiss, her touch, the way she lit up the whole damn room when she smiled.
Was it so wrong to be glad she’d been thinking about him, too?
Yes, it’s wrong,he told himself.You gave up that right when you said good-bye.
He looked down at his cuff links, focusing his attention on those so he wouldn’t get hung up on Miriam again.
“You could have a relationship, you know,” Ellie said. “If you’d stop trying to be the goddamn white knight all the time and just let someone love you, you might actually be happy.”
“I am happy,” he insisted, not meeting his sister’s eyes.
“Not like you were when you were with her. I saw the way you lit up when she was in the room. You could have that forever if you’d stop letting your overprotective macho bullshit run your life.”
“Thanks for the psychoanalysis.” Jason glanced at his watch. He had plenty of time to make it to the board meeting for the big decision, but still. He wanted to get there early, to clear his mind and free himself from the jumble in his head and heart. He’d been preparing for it all week, crunching numbers and meeting with staff and learning what made Urban Trax tick.
It had been a welcome distraction from the deep ache in his gut when he thought about Miriam.
He turned to his sister and took a deep breath. “Do I look okay? Like a real, professional CEO, I mean?”
Ellie gave him a grudging nod, then reached up and straightened the tie again. “You’re fine. You look great. You’ll knock ’em dead in that presentation.”
Jason nodded, hoping she was right while wondering why the words sounded so hollow.
You know why. It’s not the same without Miriam.
Nothing’s the same.
“Jason,” Ellie said, her voice softer now. “You know I love you. But I think you’re making a big mistake. Don’t you think it’s okay to snatch a little happiness for yourself for a change instead of running yourself ragged making sure everyone else is safe and warm and fed?”
“No.”
She punched him in the arm. Hard.
“Ouch,” he grumbled, brushing his hand over the wrinkle she’d made in the sleeve of his jacket. “Cut it out. The board is going to wonder why I’m covered in bruises.”
“Good. Maybe it’ll distract them from the sight of you with your head wedged up your ass.” She turned and stomped away, then paused at the door. “Good luck with the presentation.”
