“What’s going on is that you and I are done. You know the way out.”
Connie turned on her heel and started back to the bedroom, but realized he’d have to go in there for his clothes. She went to the hall bathroom instead. When she tried closing the door, Trace was right there.
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell I did wrong.”
CHAPTER 23
Connie shoved past him and went back to the bedroom that they’d been sharing, and Trace followed her. How could she have let herself fall in love with him? Men. Even at her age, she still managed to pick wrong.
“Tell me what is going on. How you gon’ just call Riley up to replace me, especially without letting me know?” His voice rose with each word, and Connie couldn’t ever remember seeing him so angry. She didn’t feel threatened, but he’d caught her off guard.
“I told you about Quincy and how he stabbed me in the back. Then he accepted a job that should’ve been mine.”
Trace stared at her, then gave a slight shrug. “Yeah, and? What does that have to do with you and me? What does that have to do with you calling Riley?”
Connie sighed loudly with her hands planted firmly on her hips. “Trace, I heard you.”
“Sweetheart, you heard what? What did you hear?” he demanded.
“I heard you telling someone that the VP of Operations position was yours. There is no way Trinity is giving you my job, but the fact that you think she’s going to go along with whatever stupid plan you’ve cooked up—”
“Hold up!” His face contorted with confusion. “You think I’m after your job? Why the hell would I go after your job, Connie? There is nobody better suited for that position. Besides, I don’t have the tolerance for the crap you have to deal with every day.”
“But—but you said—”
“You heard me talking to Langston about our PI business.”
Her eyebrows bunched together as she tried to figure out what he was talking about. “What PI business?”
“The PI business that he and I are planning to start. We were joking around about job titles, and I just threw that out there. Hell, we don’t even need titles. We were just clowning around. As for Trinity, we’re thinking about seeing how we can partner up or collaborate or something with LEPA.”
Guilt stabbed Connie in the chest, then twisted her insides. “Oh.”
“Oh?” He got in her face. “Oh? That’s all you have to say? You think so little of me that you accuse me of trying to take your job? I’m not Quincy. I have worked my ass off to be a good man!” He pounded his chest and his words were filled with so much anguish that tears filled Connie’s eyes.
“I’ve tried to be the best version of myself that I can be. Yet here we are, having a conversation I never thought we’d have. I’m not playing some damn game with you, and I sure as hell ain’t playing with your feelings. I love you and would never do anything to hurt you.”
“I love you, too, and I’m so sorry for accusing you.”
Connie didn’t know what else to say. What could she say? She’d automatically assumed the worst based on her experience. It didn’t matter if it was past experience. All she had to go on was how she’d been treated in the past.
That’s not true, that little voice inside her head said.
From day one, even when they were just friends and getting to know each other, Trace had been kind. He treated her better than any man had ever treated her, and she didn’t doubt his feelings. Yet she’d been quick to think the worst.
Regret lodged in her throat. She’d always had a bad habit of jumping to conclusions. She should know by now that things weren’t always how they seemed.
“And what does your accusation say about Trinity?” Trace continued. “Do you honestly think she’d snatch your job from you to give to me? It doesn’t matter how long she and I have known each other. She would never do anything like that.”
“I know,” Connie said quietly, feeling awful that she would think the worst of people whom she loved more than anything.
“You know? Yet you thought the worst of her and me.” Trace ran his hand over his head and let it slide to the back of his neck. “I can’t do this. You and I might not be a good idea after all. I love you, but I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me.”
“Honey, I love you, too,” she said quickly, fisting the front of his T-shirt and holding on tight to keep him from walking away. “And I trust you. I trust you more than I trust anybody. I guess I—I—I don’t have a good excuse for my reaction. My active imagination went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat, and I am so sorry. You’re right. You’re not Quincy. Deep in my heart—” she placed a hand on her chest “—I know I can trust you, and I do. I really do. Please forgive me.”
He stood near the door, studying her for the longest time. All Connie could do was stand there. She held her breath, hoping she hadn’t just screwed up the best thing that had ever happened to her.
“I forgive you, but I think it’s best that Riley take over.”
“Trace, please don’t leave.”
Connie didn’t know what else to say as he emptied the drawers and tossed his clothes into his bag.
The heaviness in her chest was almost suffocating as her heart crumbled into tiny pieces. She didn’t blame him for wanting to leave. She deserved to be alone.
Connie watched him grab his clothes and shove them into his leather duffel bag. Less than five minutes, and he was ready to leave.
“Trace, please
