Guilt trickled through him. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he was scared she’d slap him away.
“I’m an ass,” he said gruffly. “A selfish ass. And I’ve never lied to you about anything else. Every second we spent together, I was completely and totally honest with you. I never lied about the way I feel for you. Ever.” His throat closed up, making it hard to go on. “But I understand if you want to end it. I guess I deserve that.”
Lynn released a shaky sigh. “I’m not ending it.”
Hope erupted inside him. “You’re not?”
“No. But I’m not too happy with you at the moment, either.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, frazzled. “I need some time to think.”
The panic promptly returned. “To think about whether you still want to be with me?” he said roughly.
“To think about whether or not I trust you.”
The quiet words were like a bullet straight to the heart. He almost keeled over from the pain, but at the same time, he couldn’t fault her. He’d fucked up, plain and simple. He’d had plenty of opportunities to tell her the truth. Two months’ worth of opportunities. But he’d been so happy to be with her, so addicted to the way she made him feel, he’d put it off, not wanting to spoil things.
“I understand.” He swallowed again. “Take all the time you need. But…just know…I…” God, it fucking hurt to talk. The lump in his throat was too big. “I’m sorry, and if you give me the chance, I’ll prove to you that you can trust me.”
Lynn slowly reached for the strap of her purse. “I need to go back to work. I shouldn’t have even left, but I had to talk to you. I had to make sure Phil wasn’t just trying to cause trouble.”
Parker’s fists curled at the mention of Shotelle. He wanted to throttle the bastard for telling Lynn. She should have heard the truth from him, not her slimy ex-boyfriend. But Parker’s anger didn’t last, because as much as he loathed Shotelle, he knew damn well that he, and nobody else, was to blame for this situation.
“I know we had plans tonight, but under the circumstances, I’m canceling.” Lynn’s face was sad as she clutched her purse.
“I understand.” He walked her to the door, then paused, gazing earnestly into her eyes. “I’m serious—take all the time you need. Days, weeks, months—I’ll wait as long as it takes, Lynn.”
Her breath hitched slightly as she studied his face. “You really mean that.”
“Of course I do.” Deciding to risk it, Parker quickly dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers in the softest of kisses. He pulled back before she could push him away. “I’ll be right here. Waiting for you to forgive me.”
Lynn nodded. Took a hesitant step, halted for a beat to meet his eyes again. Then she walked out of the office.
Taking his heart right along with her.
Chapter Fourteen
The trip back to the office felt icy cold, in spite of the sunshine that insisted on painting everything with cheery yellow beams.
Inside was where everything had changed.
She pulled into her parking stall and sat there for a moment. Hurting, and not sure what to do about it.
She really didn’t care the guys had been doing the job on her. Their line of work helped other people a lot, she got that. And it wasn’t like she tried to keep her list of likes and dislikes a secret from the world. But to not tell her?
Argh. She didn’t want to think about it, not for a while.
But of course her BFF had other ideas. Suz must have had radar, because the instant Lynn plopped her butt down in her chair, her phone rang.
“Go away, I’m busy.”
“Of course you’re busy. You’re busy talking to your best friend about the secret meeting. So? What gives?”
“Go away,” Lynn repeated. She stared at her computer screen. “I am not dishing all the details here and now, for so many reasons. But suffice it to say I’m not happy, and I will tell you the rest when you take me out tonight for Chinese.”
“Tonight?” Suz paused a beat. “What happened to your regularly scheduled Friday night sex-fest with Parker?”
“Leave it alone.”
“Just getting my facts straight, ma’am. You want to indulge in Chinese gluttony with me and not your main squeeze? Now I know something big and nasty went down. But how did this start with a trip to Phil’s office and end with you and Parker on the rocks—?” Suz rumbled like an upset mama lion. “I need to kill him, don’t I?”
“Parker, or Phil?”
“You pick. Or I can give you a two-for-one special, since you’re my bestie and all.”
Lynn leaned back so far in her chair she was in danger of crashing to the floor. “It’s not that bad,” she insisted. “But it’s bad enough I’m ordering spring rolls and wonton wrappers, and you are picking up the tab and driving me.”
Suz swore softly. “Oh my God, you’re planning on drinking yourself senseless. I’ll bring my shotgun and put a shovel in my trunk. We can get rid of the body tonight without anyone being the wiser.”