“Is that a new thing? Because I remember there were many.”

I nod, taking another swig of wine. Maybe I drink half the bottle because she takes it away and complains, “Hey, it’s my last bottle, don’t finish it.”

“Why did you leave?”

“I wasn’t feeling well,” she lies.

“I thought you wanted honesty tonight.”

“Why not fuck her?”

“Once you meet the love of your life, being with anyone else is impossible. I only belong to one person.”

She bobs her head, presses her lips together, and asks with a low voice I can barely hear. “Your girlfriend?”

I shake my head. “You have to answer my question. Stop throwing new ones my way.”

“Your arrogance. That’s why I left,” she responds. “I just realized the account isn’t worth it. You can take it.”

“Honest,” I repeat.

“Would your girlfriend care that another woman touched you?

Reaching for her hand, I caress it and kiss the inside. “That title is for high schoolers. But yeah, I think my woman hated it. Didn’t you?”

She snatches her hand and protests, “I’m not yours.”

I smirk. “But you hated it, didn’t you?”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel.” She rises from her seat, stumbling a little.

“Claire,” I say, standing up and following behind so she doesn’t trip.

I open the door of the guesthouse and make sure she is safe before I close the door.

“I usually love my job,” she says. “Right now, I hate it because I’m in a place where the client thinks men should be in charge of everything. He wants my work but you as the lead. I don’t need a man to be on top of me. This fighting for a project that seemed like a perfect fit isn’t worth it. Maybe I made the wrong decision and London was the answer. I just missed my family so much. It felt like coming home would make everything better.”

Studying her face intently, I realize her eyes are gathering moisture. Fuck if I don’t hate to see her hurting. Did I take things too far with Eva? Is my presence why she can’t stand being in Denver?

It stings knowing the one person who keeps me alive, can’t stand my presence.

I slide a hand around her neck and bring her in for a hug. My eyes squeeze closed as I press my lips on top of her head and smell that flower scent I’ve been missing for so long.

She buries her head in the crook of my neck and I feel the moisture seeping through my shirt. I press her tightly to me, wanting to protect her from everything. I press a kiss to her temple. She turns her neck slightly and kisses my jaw.

I slant my mouth over hers.

Claire