Page 27 of If You Were Mine (After We Fall 3)
“Whatever you want,” he said. “You’re the boss.”
Right. And you’re my employee. The reminder of the exact nature of our relationship was enough to ground me solidly in reality. “We must be over the three hours, anyway.”
Theo looked at his watch. “Just barely. I didn’t even notice.”
“Time flies when you’re having fake fun.”
His brow wrinkled. “What’s going on with you?”
Dropping the icy facade, I felt my shoulders droop. “I just want to go home.” Before I fall apart.
“OK. I’ll take you.” Ever the gentleman, Theo retrieved my coat and held it up while I put it on. He even tipped the coat check woman and the valet driver who brought the car around.
“I’ll pay you back for that stuff,” I said, digging in my purse as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“No, here.” I held up a ten-dollar bill.
“I don’t want it.”
“Take it,” I snapped, tossing the money onto his lap. For some reason, it bugged me that he was so nice. It would have been better if he’d been mean. Maybe not serial killer mean, but something other than what he was.
He glanced at me, but said nothing.
The two of us remained silent the entire ride home. I spent the twenty minutes chastising myself for all the dumb decisions that had led me to this humiliating episode, starting with lying to Elyse. I should have known better.
I peeked over at Theo a couple times, but I had
no idea what he was thinking about. He just kept rubbing one finger along his lower lip, his expression grim, his jaw tight.
He pulled into my driveway, and I was about to get out when he put a hand on my leg.
“Claire.”
“What?”
“Did I do something to offend you?”
Yes. Made me think you could care. “No.”
“Was something wrong about the way tonight was handled?”
Jesus. Was he worried about his business? “Don’t worry. I’ll give you a glowing review, just like the rest of them.”
“I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about you.”
“Ha.”
“Ha?”
“Ha!” I said again, louder this time. “Why would you be worried about me?”
“Because we’re…friends.”
“We’re not friends! We’re not anything! No, I take it back, we’re boss and employee right now, but in a minute when I go inside, we’ll go back to being nothing, and I’ll never see you again. It’s my fault for getting caught up in this stupid charade. For thinking something real was there.” Shut up, shut up, shut up! You’re only making it worse!
Theo threw the car in park, but left it running as he shifted in his seat to face me. “Is that what this is about?”
