Page 102 of Pretend You Love Me

He doesn’t respond.

“How about why you can’t go upstairs?”

His jaw is clenched so hard now I’m afraid he might crack a tooth.

“Or you could share why you don’t get along with Hawk?”

“Brooklyn...”

“I thought so,” I interrupt. I’m on my feet again. I finally spot my bra on the dresser. Once I grab it, I start to scan the room again.

“Will you stop?” He huffs as he pulls on his pants.

“Kip, we agreed this was temporary.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “A lot has happened since then, Brooklyn.”

“We live 4,000 miles apart, Kip. I have a job. You have a restaurant. How would this work?”

He’s still holding the bridge of his nose. “We could make it work.”

I’m surprised he’s resisting this at all. Last time, he didn’t seem to mind at all that I was leaving, but it doesn’t change reality. As much as this hurts, it will only hurt more later.

“I can’t be in a one-sided relationship, Kip.”

“What the hell does that mean?”he asks.

“It means there’s a wall between us. You won’t let me in.”

He lets out a frustrated groan. “So you need to be my fucking therapist?”

“No, Kip, I’d be your girlfriend, and I can’t if you won’t talk to me.”

He looks like I’ve just slapped him across the face.

“I have a hard time letting people in,” he says.

“I’ve noticed.” My arms are over my chest. I spot my panties on a plant by the window. How the heck did they get over there?

“So this is it?” His eyes are holding so much pain.

“It’s better this way, Kip. If not, we’ll just drag it out, and it will be more painful in the end.”

“Why does it have to be painful? Why would it need to end?”

“Haven’t you been listening to me?” I yell. I stomp over to the corner and grab my panties. My pants are on the floor beside the plant. I snatch those up too.

“Your shirt.” He’s holding it out. I yank it from his hands, march into the bathroom, and slam the door behind me.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Brooklyn

I have a crushing headache, but I agreed to help Zadie, so I’m here.

“You okay?” She places her hand on my back. She looks worried.

“Just a long day at work.”