The words are sharp.Distant.An automatic response to keep me safe because nothing about this feels safe.
Joel’s gaze flickers, his lips parting like he wants to say something.
Then, he hesitates.Just for a second.Just long enough that I see something shift behind his eyes, something quieter, more reserved.It’s not the usual cocky self-assurance, not the easy confidence that usually drives me up the wall.This is different.Measured.
He sets the guitar aside, his fingers still resting lightly on the wood, and then—before I can prepare for it—his hand covers mine.
Not cocky.Not teasing.
Steady.
“Anna.”
Just my name.No sarcasm.No challenge.Just him trying to get me to listen.
I should pull away.
I should snatch my hand back, roll my eyes, remind him that he lost the right to say my name like that a long time ago.
But I don’t.
Because my body doesn’t seem to be listening to my brain lately.Instead, it replays the way he said it last night in the shower, the traitorous bitch.
I swallow hard, forcing my gaze to stay locked on our hands instead of his face.
Joel’s thumb moves, the lightest brush against my knuckles.My stomach clenches, my skin burning beneath his touch.
“I need to explain,” he says, voice lower now.“The envelope?—”
Panic lurches up my throat.
No.
I’m not doing this.Not now.
I wrench my hand away and shove to my feet so fast, I bump the coffee table and my coffee nearly spills.
Joel follows, reaching for me again, but I step back.
“Forget it,” I say quickly, my pulse thundering against my ribs.“Seriously.Go have fun doing… whatever it is you do with the song tonight.I have work to do.”
His brows pull together, like he’s debating whether or not to let me go.
I don’t give him the choice.I turn on my heel and walk away.
Unfortunately, I don’t make it two steps before Joel is following.
“Anna,wait.”
Not a chance.
I pick up the pace, but he’s faster.He catches up just as I reach my office, his hand grazing my arm—just barely, just enough to send a jolt down my spine.
“Hey.”His voice is quieter now, lower, more careful.“Can we just—can you let me?—”
I yank away before he can finish.“I have work to do.”
Joel exhales sharply.“Come on, you’re really gonna lock yourself in there under the bullshit pretense ofwork?”