I hate him.
I hate that my face is warm.
I hate that my pulse is still hammering.
I hate that he looks so fucking pleased with himself.
I cross my arms, leaning back in my chair, forcing every ounce of disinterest into my expression.
“Well, thanks for that life-changing gesture,” I deadpan.“Truly.I don’t know how I would have survived without it.”
Joel chuckles.
It’s a low sound, smooth and slow, like he knows something I don’t.
He doesn’t leave right away.He lingers.
Just a second too long.
Like he’s weighing something.Like he’s putting together a puzzle and just found the missing piece.
Then, so softly I almost miss it?—
He nods once to himself.
Like he’s confirming something.
The realization settles behind his smirk.
Not cocky.
Not teasing.
Just certain.
And then, finally, he steps back.
“Don’t work too hard,” he says, turning toward the hallway.
I don’t respond.
Because I can’t.I’m still reeling.
I wait until I hear his bedroom door click shut, the sound far too loud in the quiet apartment.
Then, slowly, my gaze flits to the drawer.
I don’t know what’s worse.
The fact that I finally caved in and opened that stupid envelope?—
Or the fact that now, for the first time in a decade, I don’t know what to think of Joel.
What alternate universe is this?
CHAPTER14
Joel