Micah shrugs and walks away, Beau at his side.
Beau shouts over his shoulder. “We’ll wait for you outside, Xan.”
Xander steps up to the counter, resting his hands on it. “It really was an accident. Micah and his long fucking legs.”
“That doesn’t make what you said that day disappear, Xander. And your apologies don’t makeanythingyou’ve done go away.”
He looks down. “I know. But I regret saying what I did. I was just—”
“Being an enormousdick?” I look over my shoulder to make sure Terry is still in the back before I continue. “And why should I believe your apology? Between you and your bitchy girlfriend, I just can’t anymore.I get it.You don’t want me here for some fucking crazy reason. And Aria doesn’t want me here because—” I stop, unable to say it.She doesn’t want me here because she’s possessive and jealous of how you look at me, you asshole. And I don’t know what tricks you’re trying to pull, but you run hot as hell one minute and cold as ice the next.
His gaze bores right into me, something I can’t understand flickering in his eyes as he asks, “You know I’m not with Aria, right?”
I scoff, “You could have fooled me. Do you invite all the cheerleaders to a very special seat on your lap at lunch?”
He stares at me.Ha! No answer to that one, huh? Well, how about this?“What is she then, if not your girlfriend? Your convenient fuck buddy?”
He shrugs. “We have an understanding of sorts.”
“You’re such a dick.”
“It’s notlikethat. She’s been jealous of you since the first time I mentioned I’d run into you. That’s the answer to the question you keep tiptoeing around. You want to know why I’ve been an asshole? That’s why. Aria is sensitive to me being interested in anyone.”
“Seriously? You’re telling me that’s what started all of this fuckery? Your non-girlfriend is jealous?” My brows pinch together, disbelieving.
He leans closer to me, eyeing me carefully. “The question I have for you is this—after all the stuff I’ve done, or all the stuff youthinkI’ve done, why do you still want me? Because I can see in your eyes that you do.”
Good. Fucking. Question.
“Scarlett? Go ahead and take your ten-minute break.” Terry interrupts any answer I might have given. Not that I have one for Xander.
Not that I have one for myself.
With a sigh, I untie my apron, pull it over my head and walk down the back hallway. I’m in the habit of sitting on a bench behind the shop and looking at the stars during my break times. I never really need the break but Terry says it’s required, so I may as well take it. My mind is a jumbled mess, anyway. Maybe some fresh air will help. I push through the door and it bangs loudly behind me.
Chapter 25
Just as I sit down, Xander appears from around the corner of the building.
I roll my eyes and huff out my exasperation. “What are you doing, Xander?”
He shoves his hands in his pockets and comes to stand in front of me. “I don’t quite feel like our conversation is over.”
“Trust me. It is.”
His lips press together, perturbed by my quick response, and he points to the bench. “May I?”
I glance down at the empty space next to me.What am I supposed to do? Say no?I gesture towards the bench as sarcastically as I can. “Sure. Knock yourself out.”
He nods and sits down, just a smidge too close for comfort. “You like working here?” He glances over at my profile before leaning back and putting his arm along the back of the bench behind me.
My shoulders lift, then drop. “It’s a job.”
“Not many people at Rosehaven Academy would bother.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not ‘many people,’ I guess. Just a Thorn, remember?”
He angles his body toward mine, ignoring my question. “I remember the first day we met you told me you were living with your aunt and uncle. Did they say you had to work? To stay with them, I mean?”