Page 125 of By Invitation Only

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Peyton

Booker asking for me to meet him at his house was odd because my place was closer to both of our offices. The only thing I could think of was that he didn’t make partner and he went home because he was upset. But why his house? He had a key to mine, and that was where we spent every night.

I pulled up in front of his house, and before I could make it to the front door, he opened it, clearly waiting for me. I took in his face, searching for any sign that it was good or bad news. He looked—worried. He was in his work slacks, and the crisp white dress shirt he wore with his suit was unbuttoned and hanging open, showing his undershirt. This wasn’t like the man I knew. He was always presentable, even late at night after working all day. The only time I saw him without a tie was on the weekends.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, not wanting to jump to any conclusions that he didn’t make partner.

“Just come inside.” He gestured for me to walk inside. Yes, he was clearly upset.

No hug.

No kiss.

No hello.

He shut the door and turned, running his hands down his face as he sighed.

“Did you… Did you not make partner?” I couldn’t take the suspense.

“I made partner,” he answered without a smile, without emotion.

I blinked. “You’re upset—”

“Not about that.”

“What about then?” I asked, taking a step closer to him only for him to take a step back. I stopped, my heart stopped, and so did the world.

“You might want to sit down.” He motioned with his head for me to sit on the couch. I didn’t.

“Why? Just tell me what’s going on. You made partner, and now you’re acting like I repulse you.”

He shook his head slightly. “You don’t repulse me.”

“Then why won’t you touch me? Why haven’t you kissed me?” I inquired.

“I want to do nothing but that, gorgeous.”

“Then do it!” I cried.

“I can’t.”

“Why?” My chest rose up and down as I waited for his answer. I was freaking out. This was nothing like him.

“Because I was wrong.”

“Wrong about what?”

“Us.” He sighed.

My world started to spin again, spinning so fast that I felt as though I would fall.

“You’re breaking up with me?”

“I don’t know.” He ran his hand along the back of his neck.

“You don’t know? What does that even mean? How can things be good this morning, and you make partner, but now you don’t want to be with me? Was I just there to satisfy you? To help you relieve the stress from working crazy hours, and now that you’ve made partner you don’t need me?”