My stomach dropped. “What?”
“What did he tell you?”
“That you told him you had feelings for me.”
“He didn’t tell you what we argued about?”
“No,” I said, frowning. “What the did you argue about?”
“You.”
“Me?” I asked. My head was spinning. I needed to sit down for this. I needed an entire bottle of wine for this.
“Come home with me,” he said. “I’ll tell you everything.”
“Okay.” I paused. “Okay, but I need to call Marcus.”
Victor growled. “Always calling some guy.”
“He’s security detail, and a friend,” I said, rolling my eyes as I took out my phone and dialed. “Marcus, you don’t have to pick me up tonight.”
Before I could explain anything, Victor snatched the phone from my hand. “Marcus, this is Victor. If you must know, she’s coming home with me, and she’s staying until, and if, I let her go. If I let her go, I’ll be the one driving her home, so if she fucking calls you before five in the afternoon tomorrow, ignore the call. Thanks. Bye.”
He hit the end button before handing the phone back to me and all I could do was stand here, holding my hand out to take it.
This. Fucking. Guy.
WE STAYED AT the party long enough to sing happy birthday. Long enough for Victor’s friends to tell him he was whipped and make fun of him. Long enough for him to send them all to hell. And long enough for me to witness Victor holding a baby with so much care and love, I was afraid my ovaries would explode right there. Neither one of us said a word on the drive to his house, me because I was afraid I would say the wrong thing. I wasn’t sure what his silence was about, but it was making me nervous. He hadn’t touched me either. Not since we were outside, when he would do the occasional drift of his fingers along my bare shoulder to call my attention. It made my stomach dip every time and even though I tried to focus on the wine, after two glasses I didn’t even want any more.
His house was dark except for the porch light when we got there, and I was so worked up I was sure if he touched me I would jump out of my seat. He switched off the engine and sighed as he glanced over at me.
“Let’s go.”
I nodded and stepped out of the car, taking caution with my heels in the gravel of his driveway. He seemed to notice, or maybe he’d had many women in heels over, because he came over and grabbed my arm to steady me and help me inside. I thanked him and let him open the door and switch on the inside light for me. I looked around and crossed my arms as he locked the door behind me and gasped when he walked back over and dropped a kiss on my shoulder.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” he said, his voice a rasp behind my ear. I closed my eyes to savor the moment. “Turn around.”
I opened my eyes, my heart pounding in my throat as I did.
“I’m so mad at you, I don’t . . .” He sighed. “Maybe we should talk in the kitchen.”
I felt like I was being sent to the principal’s office on the first day at a new school, like everything was riding on this conversation. My nerves were shot to hell because whatever I’d done would never truly be forgiven. But I hadn’t done anything wrong. Not really, anyway. I’d tried to save his job, and he was possibly being demoted anyway. We sat beside each other on the barstools after he served us each a glass of water.
“So you’re meeting with my dad and the other guys on Monday,” I said, figuring I’d start where he left off earlier.
“Right.”
“How’d that come about?”
Victor looked down at the floor for a long time before tilting his face to lock eyes with me. “I’m not sure I want to start at that part.”
“Okay,” I said, lifting the glass of water to my lips to take a sip and setting it down. “Start, then.”
He clasped his hands on his lap, his leg bobbing rapidly. “What’s going on with you and Gabriel?”
“Nothing.” I paused. “You’re handling my divorce. Why don’t you tell me?”
His eyes narrowed. “It wouldn’t be the first time you kept something from me.”
“That was different, and there’s nothing I’m keeping from you. Everything’s on paper,” I said.
“Him holding your hand, putting his arm on your shoulder, hugging you, kissing you, that shit is on paper?” he said, his voice rising.
“He didn’t kiss me,” I said, but he ignored my comment and stood suddenly, the top of the chair hitting the edge of the counter with a little bang. I flinched. He started pacing, taking off the pirate sword and vest, and I watched.