Page 72 of Consumed By You

I can’t do this to myself anymore.

***

When I step into the bar, Kevin is already behind the counter.

I wave, and he points to the phone, signaling me to come over. Confused, I set my bag down and head over to him.

He presses the phone to his chest. “It’shim.”

My eyes go as wide as saucers.

“Yeah, uh, let me see if she’s here,” Kevin says, pressing the hold button.

“Why is he calling here?” I ask, then glance down at my cell phone. I swipe the screen, seeing two missed calls from him.

Damn it. My phone was on silent.

“He didn’t say. Just said he needed to speak with you.” He hands me the phone and laughs when I growl.

“Hello, Benjamin.”

“Darcy. Why haven’t you answered your phone?”

My brow arches at the barely concealed anxiety in his voice. “I got a new one. I have to figure out how to take it off silent.”

“Did you change your number again?”he says incredulously, a hint of anger in his tone.

“No, I didn’t, Benjamin. What do you want? Why are you calling my job?”

“Why are you evenatyour job?”

“I have to work.”

“Not this soon. I can’t believe your boss would let you come in so soon after what happened.”

“She didn’t want me to. I begged her.”

“Why?”

I roll my eyes. “I told you. I have to work!”

“This is ridiculous. You need rest. Let me speak with her,”he demands, and I glower at the phone.

“Who do you think you are?My keeper? If I want to work, Benjamin, then I’m going to damn well work! Now, is that all you wanted?”

“Yes!”

“All right.” I hang up.

Breathe, Darcy. Breathe.

“Wow.” Kevin whistles, grinning like a madman.

“What? I think I handled him pretty well.” I feel dizzy from anger.

“You did. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you mad before. He sounds like he has it pretty bad.”

“He doesn’t. I told you what happened.”