That was the feeling she’d been circling when Brady had called the night before, and that was why she’d lied. Brady might have kissed her while they were alone, but that didn’t necessarily mean he truly wanted her behind closed doors.

And even if he did? What did it matter?

She had a life in Nashville. He had one in Arbor Bay.

It was time to accept that their arrangement worked only because they knew it was going to end. They might as well be as professional as possible until then.

“I’m going to tell you what I told Santana, and it’s the truth,” Brady continued, turning around in the foyer to face her. “Yeah, I looked over at Felicity in that picture, but I’m pretty sure that was when I had just finished laughing at her cussing Carol’s hat. I don’t even remember actually looking at her. I mean, we took so many damn—”

“You don’t need to explain anything to me.” Sloane held up her hand to stop him. “Honestly, it’s fine. I don’t care if you were glancing at Felicity or staring at her like she’s the last slice of pecan pie. It’s not my business who you stare at, just like it wouldn’t be any of your business who I stare at.”

She should have stopped right there, but Sloane couldn’t help herself. Being professional was sometimes too tall of a glass to fill. She’d had her feelings hurt and now wanted to lash out a bit.

“Plus, I’m sure there’s a picture or two of me staring at Marcus. Being upset with you for doing the same thing wouldn’t make a lot of sense, would it?”

Well damn, mouth. Look at you go.

It might have been Sloane’s imagination, but it almost looked like the muscle in Brady’s jaw jumped.

“No, I guess it wouldn’t.”

She shook her head and still kept going. You can’t stop a mouth with a mission.

“You know, it might just be better if we don’t go out like that anymore. With the Robertsons, I mean. You know, to avoid temptation. Plus, it’ll be easier for everyone when I go back to my real life.”

“Your real life,” Brady repeated, voice a bit deeper than before. “Yeah. We don’t want them to expect that you’ll be around. You’re right. Better that we avoid temptation, too.”

“Exactly. Let’s just focus on making it through the festival activities.”

Brady nodded. There was no hint of his trademark smirk at the corners of his lips anymore. “And then we’ll be smooth sailing right into our breakup?”

A flutter moved through Sloane’s stomach. It wasn’t the good kind.

“The smoothest.”

Brady nodded again.

Then Sloane saw it. The shift in attitude across his expression.