“Looks that way.” It didn’t bother her, exactly. It would be good for the new album, and it was a hell of a lot better than having unflattering pictures leak. At the same time, it felt deflating, because while she didn’t want to be back with Chance, she still wanted to be with Chance. Which made no sense, though she had long ago accepted that her feelings toward him were not in any way, shape, or form rational.
Retreating into the bedroom, she got dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. If they were going to the store, she wanted to keep it simple. She was going for the hair dryer again so she could at least pull her hair back into a simple ponytail when Chance appeared in the doorway of the bedroom.
“I get it now,” he said. Dolly was standing next to him and he petted her head absently. “I know why you got naked for me. You already knew you were going to get what you wanted out of the deal.”
“What?” Puzzled, Jolene lowered the hair dryer in her hand and stared at him. He looked angry. “What are you talking about?”
“You tipped them off, didn’t you? So they’d see us and post that we’re back together.”
Her jaw dropped. She seriously considered whopping him upside the head with the dryer. “You bastard,” she breathed. “Every single time I think there is no way you can insult me any more than you already have, you find a way. Are you going to stand there and tell me that you seriously think I lured you here with the intention of getting my way? That I called the paparazzi to come take pictures of me in my underwear?”
He didn’t back down, which didn’t surprise her. It did infuriate her further. “You hated that everyone said I cheated on you, so this is payback, isn’t it?” he said.
“Payback for what?” she asked, bewildered. “Do you think I walk around scheming constantly? That I’m thinking about you all the time?” Well, she was, but damned if he would know that.
“You sat there at Ginny’s and said you wanted me to pretend we’re back together!”
“I’d like to point out that you kissed me, not the other way around, buddy. So if anyone made us look like a couple, it was you.” She pushed past him. She couldn’t stand there and look at him looking at her like she was some sort of manipulative shrew. It made her feel trapped.
It was an accident that her shoulder bounced off his, but he barely moved. His eyes were narrowed. “Maybe that was your plan all along. I know you’re a stellar businesswoman. You knew we’d sell more if we were a couple.”
Jolene drew up short. Tears burned her eyes, but she blinked. Hard. Then she turned around. “Are you accusing me of using you for my career? Are you suggesting that I set out to create a relationship with you solely for professional gain? Because if you are, then you’re a bigger idiot and asshole than I gave you credit for, and trust me, I was already giving you quite a bit of credit in both areas.”
“Stand in my shoes for a minute and tell me it wouldn’t cross your mind.”
“Who is to say I can’t say the same thing about you? Maybe you were using me.”
“I was not using you!” He looked aghast, furious at the thought. His feet were far apart, his back ramrod-straight. His jaw was tense, and even though his hair was in his eyes, he didn’t toss it back. Clearly, he was angry at her accusation.
Just a taste of his own medicine. “See how that feels?” She threw her hands up. “So where does that leave us, you reckon? Since me killing you and throwing your body into the pond is probably out of the question?”
Chance stared at her for a minute, then shook his head. “I’m going to the damn store.”
Typical man. Just storm off. No matter that she had been debating doing the exact same thing. “Are you planning to take my car? Do you think maybe you could ask? Or were you going to walk three miles?”
Chance swore. “May I please borrow your truck?” he asked in a saccharine, sarcastic tone.
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him no, but that was like poking the bear. Besides, she would welcome an hour without him and the tension he created, sexual and otherwise. “Since you asked so nicely, sure. Can you get me some ice cream?”
If he mentioned anything about her not needing ice cream, all bets were off—she would strangle him with the dryer cord. It would be worth the life-in-prison sentence.
But he just said, “What kind?”
That was mollifying. “Rocky road.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “For real?”
She hadn’t even thought about it, but now that she did, she realized there was something ironic and humorous about her request. “Our second single?” she asked wryly.
“Could be.” He looked like he was going to say something more, but then he just shook his head. “Keys, please?” He held his hand out. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”
A thought occurred to her. “You’re not ditching me here, are you? Because that’s grand theft auto.” Oh my Lord, she’d skin him alive if he left her alone in the woods without transportation. Not that it would be hard to get someone to fetch her, she just didn’t like the feeling of being trapped. Out of control.
Chance stared at her. “You think I’m going to steal your truck? If I wanted to leave that bad, I wouldn’t have come in the first place.”