She squeezed Tommy’s arm. “I’ll see you around.”
And with that she grabbed her briefcase and walked away. Julie hated the way the woman’s butt swished from side to side, like an invitation for Tommy to pursue her. That if he did, she’d give him anything he wanted. When Julie glanced up at Tommy, all her anger came rushing back and she smacked the bag of food against his chest. “Here’s your lunch.”
Then she stalked off.
He hadn’t even introduced her. Again. No, “This is my girlfriend.” Or, “Sorry but I’m taken.”
Just a damn, “Hey.” Hey could mean anything. She could’ve been his freaking sister for all that woman knew. In front of an extremely attractive woman, he’d treated her just as he always had— like a sibling.
After everything she’d allowed that man to do to her body, all she got was a fucking “Hey.” She had the notion to grab a handful of cock right now, and not to give him pleasure.
She’d made it several strides away before Tommy grabbed her arm and spun her around.
“What’s the matter with you?”
She snatched her arm out of his grip. “Who was that?”
“A reporter. I was doing an interview.”
“Yeah, that’s what it looked like.”
Confusion clouded his eyes as he drew back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You were checking her out.”
“Holy shit! You’re jealous!” Laughing, Tommy grabbed her and hugged her close to his chest.
Seriously? He was happy about it while she stood there, a steaming pile of fury?
“It’s not funny, Tommy,” she ground out.
“You’re right, it’s not. I’m sorry.” He placed his hands on her upper arms and gently pushed her back until their eyes met. “Yes, she was an attractive woman, Julie. But I wasn’t attracted to her.
There is only one woman I’m interested in. I go home to her every night, and I’m very happy to call her my girlfriend.”
She bit her bottom lip, wanting to believe that—with everything in her. But she wasn’t sure she could.
“Except you didn’t call me your girlfriend. You ate lunch with her. You were supposed to eat with me.” God, she was pouting! But she couldn’t help it; seeing him with that other woman, and getting kissed on the cheek, had hurt.
His brows flicked. “I heard her stomach growling. And trying to be a gentleman while selfishly hoping to win some brownie points for a good interview, I bought her a sandwich. I didn’t eat. I was waiting for you.”
Her anger notched down a fraction. “You didn’t eat?”
A small smile played at his lips. “No. I didn’t. I’ve been looking forward to our lunch date all morning.”
“Then why didn’t you introduce me?”
He blinked at her. “I— It didn’t cross my mind.”
Dumbfounded, she stared at him. “It didn’t cross your mind to introduce your girlfriend to a woman who was blatantly coming on to you?”
He tried tugging her forward. “I love it when you say girlfriend. Say it again.”
She broke away, still mad. “Tommy, I’m being serious!”
“All right! I screwed up!” He threw up his hands. “I’m sorry. Jesus, Julie, I’m new to this relationship stuff, okay? I swear it didn’t cross my mind. I was just happy to see you.”
Some of her tension abated, but her uneasiness lingered.
“Please, let’s not fight,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all morning.”
She wasn’t sure if the unease was her heart trying to protect itself or her head seeing red flags she wanted to ignore. Him neglecting to introduce her as his girlfriend was not her imagination.
Neither was that sisterly kiss.
When she forced a nod, he entwined their fingers. As he led them to the bench, she stared at their joined hands. He’d said she was the one he wanted. The one he came home to every night.
But she’d just had her second glimpse of the old Tommy.
And everything she’d been so sure of this morning was now one big uncertainty.
…
As Tommy rolled up his wraps and tossed them in the gym bag, he could no longer fight the smile that had kept creeping over him all afternoon.
Julie had been jealous—raging pissed jealous. When she’d slapped their lunch against his chest and stormed off, he’d been shocked, which had been replaced by a small amount of happiness as he watched her eyes spit anger.
Over him.
That had to mean something, right?
She’d never reacted like that before, and he’d had plenty of other women around her in the past. If she felt like she had a claim on him, then her feelings had to be growing.
Maybe she’d needed to feel the jealousy, to get a taste of what he’d felt when she’d been around Brody. God knew, watching her with another man had quickly opened Tommy’s eyes. And maybe this encounter had opened her eyes, too. Maybe she’d be more receptive to hearing how he felt now—and would actually believe it.
It was time to tell her he loved her.