“I don’t have to. I’ve been watching you all morning. First, you hide in here, and Maddox runs in after you. Then, your ex shows up, and Maddox is up here, yelling at everyone like he used to.” She waggled her eyebrows. “He’s got it bad.”

I looked away. “I just broke Jackson’s heart—again. What the hell was I thinking? I knew something had happened to Thomas. Hell, you told me on day one he’d been burned. Marks is right.”

Val stiffened. “What did Marks say?”

“That I should stay away from Thomas. That I couldn’t commit to Jackson, and it’s likely that I can’t commit to anyone else.”

Val made a face. “You’re lying. He isn’t that much of a brazen dick.”

“He is when it comes to me. And to clarify, yes, I was paraphrasing.”

“Then, those are your fears talking. But if you like Maddox, Liis, don’t let a failed relationship govern your next one. Just because you didn’t love Jackson doesn’t mean you can’t love Maddox.”

“He still loves her,” I said, not trying to hide the wounded tone in my voice.

“Camille? She was the one who got away, Liis. He’ll probably always love her.”

A sick feeling came over me, and I curled my shoulders inward, feeling actual physical pain seeping all the way into my bones.

We haven’t known each other for that long. Why do I have such strong feelings for him?

I couldn’t ask that though. It made me too vulnerable, made me feel too weak.

I spoke aloud the only question I could, “Do you think he can love two people?”

“Can you love one?” she snapped back.

I shook my head, touching my fingers to my lips.

Val had no sympathy in her eyes. “You’re really kind of bringing this on yourself. Be with him or not. But Marks is right. Don’t fuck with Maddox’s emotions. I realize you told him once that you’re emotionally unavailable, but you’re behaving differently.”

“Because I like him. I think I more than like him. But I don’t want to.”

“Then, be straight with him, and don’t give him mixed signals.”

“It’s hard not to when that’s all I’ve got going on here,” I said, motioning to the space between my head and heart.

She shook her head. “I understand that, but you’re going to have to make a decision and stick with it, or you’ll just look like a bitch.”

I sighed. “I don’t have time for this. I have a job to do.”

“Then, get your shit straight, and do it.” Val stood up and left my office without another word.