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“I don’t want you to get to know me. We’ve been just fine ignoring each other since the wedding.” I glare at her. “My dad abandoned my mom for yours.”

She glares right back at me. “Yeah, well, at leastshedidn’t abandonyou.”

Chapter 11

Gilli

Of course things degraded into an argument. I should know better at this point. Anything involving Soren will become absolute shit.

If I’m bothered, then he’s right, and I should leave. Which only makes me dig my heels in deeper.

I’m staying.

I’m staying trapped in this house with Soren and his sun-kissed face, that strong jaw hidden behind his beard. Trapped with Aiden and his broad shoulders and easy smile.

Not to mention Tase when he comes to visit, with his sensitive hands and his staggering height, forcing me to look up and up and up into his eyes…

I’m insomuch trouble and it’s only been days.

I need to get away from Soren immediately, even if it’s just a trip into town. Otherwise one of us will move—strangle, claw out some eyes—and I’m not sure who will go first.

“You’re a huge pain in my ass and a real prick,” I say when he doesn’t answer.

He’s staring at me and my raw heart, my abandonment issues.

“Why? Because I told you not to drop the chainsaw? It’s obvious, Gilli.”

“No, because… because I’m pouring out my heart and you’re glaring at me like I’m a pesky mosquito or something.”

“I never asked you to pour out your heart. Besides, I’m sure you’ve been through worse at work.”

My stomach clenches. “I’ve been through a lot, yeah, but it doesn’t give you the right to talk to me that way.”

“I’m not interested in discussing this anymore,” he mutters.

“Classic,” I say. I need to drop it.

I can’t let go.

“You want to stay in your own world and shove everyone else out, that’s your business. But don’t ask me to come help you. Just keep your distance and we’ll be fine.”

Soren grows taller, his chest puffing out and brushing against mine. I haven’t judged. “You've called me enough names to count on one hand and now you’re drawing a line in the sand? Go get fucked, Gilli, it will improve your mood.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Neither of us is sunshine and roses.”

“Look, if you would just leave, we can all go back to playing nice and pretending the other doesn’t exist.” He stashes the chainsaws in the back of the utility vehicle. “Then it won’t matter what you call me. Or what I call you.”

“Leaving changes nothing. We’re never going to end up on the same page. It’s not like we’re friends.”

He steps up even closer to crowd me with his bulk. An intimidating tactic, and it’s working. “Correct.”

At least he’s not offering up reasons why we aren’t friendly and never will be. Those I wouldn’t be able to bear right now.

“And when you get yourself figured out,maybethen I’ll be willing to have this conversation with you. Until then, I’ve got work. So do you.”

“You’re only thing standing in my way.”

My hands clench into fists and Soren tracks the movement.