“And I don’t want your dick. I don’t want anything to do with it. Just your mouth. So you can either get your clothes by giving me what I want, only to suffer from a serious case of blue balls, or you can start perusing your closet for a new pair of running shorts.”

Jaw clenched, I grip the counter and say, “Is this satisfying to you? These rules? These restrictions?”

“Doesn’t matter what they mean to me. It just matters that they’re set in stone.” Once again, she avoids eye contact with me, and it gives me pause.

She’s in defense mode, and the only time she’s like this is when she’s so hurt she hides behind sarcasm. Scorn.

And fuck do I wish I knew how I hurt her.

Is she protecting her heart? From me?

Is she trying to erect a wall between us because I’ve hurt her so badly?

Or is she doing this out of pure spite? I can’t tell.

Either way, I can’t help the irritation pumping through me. She’s making it impossible for me to reach her.

“Fine.” I push off the counter and head toward the hallway to get ready for my day.

“Just a heads-up,” she calls out. “I know you have a meeting today, but all of your suits are at the cleaners.” I glance down at her as I’m halfway up the stairs.

“Do that on purpose, did you?”

“No, actually. It just worked out well for me.” She tucks her hair behind her ears. “If you want the claim tickets, you know what you need to do.”

Of course . . . give her my tongue.

As I stomp up the stairs, I run the conversation through my head. The pain in her eyes, the irritation, the anger building between us at such a rapid rate that I’m not sure there is any possibility of stopping it.

She dislikes me.

And right now, I think the sentiment is shared.

She’s mad at me for what I’ve done in the past.

I’m mad about what she’s doing now.

There’s no Switzerland, no one to help us moderate the pain and frustration.

So rather than fix it . . . it’s only building now.

* * *

Ryot: Plans have changed. The battleground lines have been drawn.

Banner: What are you talking about?

Penn: Did we have plans today? Dude, I can’t keep up with this schedule.

Nola: Why am I on a text thread with Penn?

Penn: Hey, Nola. Can you send me more of that pancake mix from that lobster place?

Nola: The Lobster Landing? No. You don’t deserve any.

Penn: I told you I was sorry about the house paint comment. Okay? It was years ago. You’re still holding it against me?

Nola: I will always hold that against you.

Ryot: Hey, hello! I’m the one who needs some help. Take up your vendettas with each other on another text thread.

Penn: Do you have a vendetta against me, Nola?