“No,it’s a surprise.” He winked conspiratorially.
Shetittered nervously and led him to Andie’s office, where she indicated a chair.He sat. The phone rang, but Katie continued gawping at him, slowly loweringherself behind her desk.
“Yougoing to answer?” He pointed at the phone. “It might be your boss. But don’ttell her I’m here.”
Shejumped. “Uh … yes. No. Right.”
If hehadn’t been so damn wound up, he’d have found Katie’s fluster amusing.Flattering, even. Responses like hers had been common enough, even among thebeautiful models and actresses who inhabited the stratosphere. But when hiscareer fizzled, so did their attention. He’d fallen a long way, and they’dbarely glanced down from their high perches to see if he’d landed on his feetor splatted like an overgrown paintball. It hadn’t surprised him. What didsurprise him was he hadn’t looked up at those frozen clouds, aching to be amongthem.
Thethought of not being in Andie’s world, however, fractured him. Christ, it hurt.
AsKatie talked on the phone, the garage door hummed beside the wall. He flashedhis eyes to the window as the familiar gold Tacoma pulled in. A door closed,and Andie flew into the office. And stopped.
Hereyes and mouth went round. “What are you doing here?”
Helaced his hands over his stomach as though he didn’t give a rat’s ass aboutanything, as though his heart wasn’t slamming against his ribcage. “Adrian paidme a call, and I was hoping you’d clear up a few things for me. I’ve had a hardtime getting hold of you, so the mountain has come to Muhammad.”
Andiedarted panicky eyes to Katie, who had just hung up. “Um, Katie, why don’t youknock off early today?’
Katie’sgaze bounced between them. “Uh, yeah, sure.”
Whenshe was gone, Andie ushered him into the kitchen and zoomed around like ahummingbird intent on sampling every goddamn bloom in a field of flowers. Sheserved him a steaming mug of coffee at the kitchen table. Had her hand beenshaking?
“Ithought Katie was going to keel over. She’s had a crush on you for a long time,you know.” She blew a ripple over the surface of her hot drink and, stillacting the hummingbird, took a tiny sip. He didn’t respond, and she continued.“So. You said Adrian paid you a visit?” She kept her eyes on the coffee.
Herested his chin in his hand. “You know, that’s one of the things I like bestabout you. You cut to the chase. Except when you ignore me outright, ofcourse.”
Her shouldersslumped, and her eyes shifted nowhere in particular—just not toward him. “I’msorry.”
If he’dbeen expecting more, he was disappointed. “He says the divorce is off.”
Hereyes snapped to his. “What else did he say?”
Shit.She’s not denying it. “Thesleeping together part, you mean?” He slurped his coffee and held his breath.
“He toldyou that?”
“Afraidso.” The coffee tasted bitter, and he slid the mug away. If only he hadsomething stronger.
“He hadno right! That was between him and me.”
Fuck!It’s true. Beckett’sgut twisted.
Shedropped her face in her hands and shook her head. A high-pitched sort of moancame from her, but he couldn’t make it out.
“What?”he snapped.
Sheraised her head, her eyes brimming. “It was a horrible mistake.”
“Sowhat did he do? Call you for some lame reason, then put the moves on you? Thatwas the night you canceled on me, wasn’t it? He was your ‘last-minute thing.’You blew me off for a classic booty call.”
Hishurt and anger collided with the realization he was a bystander, not somebetrayed lover. What right did he have to be outraged? Even so, she’d beendishonest, and he was pissed—and then some.
Shestraightened and folded her arms over her chest. “You’re wrong. What’s more, Idon’t think it’s any of your concern.”
Hejerked his head back as if she’d slapped him. “Whoa. Really? You’re alwaysspouting about being friends. Well, friends have one another’s backs. And they don’tturn tail and run, by the way.”
Tearsspilled freely down her cheeks, and she dropped her forehead on her fist.
Ahshit, don’t cry. Please. Don’t. Fucking. Cry. Part of him wanted to pull her in for a hug, but anotherpart burned to lash out.
Angersimmering inside him, he softened his tone. “Look, I care what happens to you.And the reason I know what he was doing is because I was thatguy. It’s a universal language men get. What he did to you is the kindof crap I’ve pulled my whole adult life. Maybe he’s cagier than I was, but hestill did it.” And you fucking fell for it.
He slidthe coffee cup back and began twisting it around and around. Keep a lid onit, Beck. “I hated those goddamn addiction recovery classes, but a fewthings did sink in, like you no longer do drugs, but you’re still an addict.It’s no different for jerks.”
Noresponse other than soft sniffles. He began fidgeting. Rambling came next.“Maybe I should start a support group. Jerk-aholics Anonymous. Hello, my nameis Beckett, and I’ve been a jerk-aholic since … well, since I was born. Stepone. Embrace your inner asshole. Announce it to the world. Step two—”
Herhead came up, and her mouth compressed into a tight line. Her moist eyessparked under angry brows, like something from a sci-fi movie. She was suddenlyall warrior woman, all “I’m going to grind you into pieces and spit your assout.” Like she even has the right.
“Beckett,shut up! Don’t you get it? I let this happen.”
Notwhat he expected. Was her flash of anger directed at him? At Adrian? Or atherself? He had no clue. And in that moment, he didn’t give a fuck because hisbarely bottled up emotions were uncorking.
Incontrast, the heat in her gaze seemed to cool, and her voice steadied. “Ishould’ve stopped it, but I didn’t.”
His gutscrewed tighter, like wet sheets on a spin cycle. He pushed back from the tableand rose. “Yeah, well, I can see it’s time for me to leave.”
Pausingin the kitchen doorway, he glanced at her. Her badass self had vanished asquickly as it had appeared, and she looked miserable. Jesus, had he donethat? He hadn’t helped, stupid fuck that he was. Some of the wind left hissails.
Hepivoted to leave.
She letout a whimper. “It’s not what you think.”
Helooked over his shoulder. “What’s not what
