Page 38 of Single Daddy To Go

“What the hell is wrong withme? What the hell is wrong withyou?” I volley back, putting my hands on my hips and staring him down. I don’t care how rich and powerful he is. He can’t just barge into my place acting like a lunatic. “This ismyapartment. What do you think you’re doing?”

“What the hell was I supposed to do?” he roars. “You wouldn’t answer any of my calls or texts. I’ve been trying to reach you for days.”

“I don’t have to answer your calls,” I say, my voice low. “You arenotentitled to a response from me.”

He takes a deep breath.

“Fair enough, Ally. You’re right. You don’t owe me a response, but I hope at least you’d feel that Ideservedone.”

It hurts to look at him because he’s so handsome. Just for a moment, I let myself take in the physicality of Rob, from the deep black hair to the piercing blue eyes. I let my eyes run over those broad shoulders and wide chest, mentally imprinting him in my mind’s eye in case I never get the chance to see him again. The thought alone is so painful that a sharp stab hits my belly, leaving me slightly bent over. He’s everything to me, but heusedme too. In a low voice, I say, “I think you should go.”

The billionaire just looks at me, immobile, those blue eyes making me sob internally.

“If that’s really what you want, fine, I’ll go, but I don’t understand what’s going on. Please just tell me what’s on your mind.” His voice is rough and soft at once, begging me to open up. The expression on his face seems genuine, but I don’t trust him. I can’t afford to.

I’m having a hard time forming the words, but I make myself say something.

“I’m not going to let you play with my heart anymore,” is my stiff reply.

He’s genuinely bewildered. “What?”

“I know what you’re really up to,” I say, holding back my tears. I don’t want to cry in front of him, so I tilt my head back once more, hoping the angle will keep the hot tears in my eyes.

But Rob is really perplexed. He sits down on the couch, his big form occupying most of the space and taking over the spot where I’ve spent the last two days hiding from the world.

“Ally, I have no idea what you’re talking about. What is it you think is going on?”

He really doesn’t know? He thinks I’m so dumb that I can’t figure it out? I guess I’ll have to spell it out in detail.

“I saw Lindsay the other day. She told me everything.”

The agitation in his voice rises.

“What? Lindsay? Why would you talk to my ex?”

“She came by to pick up Katie. She told me all about how you’re trying to keep up with her and her husband. She told me that you only asked me out because you didn’t want to go solo to the fundraiser. She told me that you only bought a new apartment becauseshebought a new apartment. Look, Rob, I get it but I don’t want to be a part of the twisted game of one-upmanship that you’re playing with your ex-wife. I thought it was real between us, but evidently not. You’re just messing around with me because you can.” By the time I’m done getting all of it off my chest, tears are streaming down my cheeks.

Rob doesn’t say anything. He just sits there, staring at me, his mouth hanging open.

Suddenly, anger suffuses my form. I shove his chest, not very hard, but enough to let him know that I mean business.

“Just go home. Can’t you muster a little bit of respect? You made me believe that you loved me but you’ve just been using me this whole time. I don’t want anything to do with your games!” My wail comes out pathetic and I almost drop to my knees, I’m so hurt. But it’s too late. My pain is out in the open, a shimmering mass between us and Rob’s expression is a mixture of pain and concern.

His brow knits.

“Ally, please stop this. I’m not playing games with you. Iloveyou. Do you hear me?I love you.This is all some giant clusterfuck because my ex is a horrible person who’s twisting things. She’s been feeding you lies, and sweetheart, you can’t believe what she says.Listento me, Ally. Trust me.”

I want to believe him. I really do. But there’s so much about what Lindsay said to me that hit right to the core of my insecurities. “I don’t know Rob. You did ask me out right before the Annual Fair, and you did just buy a new house and a new car right after Lindsay and Sheldon did. Doesn’t the timing mean something? That’s three events. Coincidence all three times? I want to be real, but I … I just don’t know.”

Rob shakes his head, reaching out to cup my face. His hand is so big and warm, and I fight every urge to sink into touch, to let him take care of me and make the hurt go away.

He growls again.

“Baby, I’m so sorry that she made you feel like this. Please believe me. I had no idea why you were upset and I’ve spent every waking moment since you stopped talking to me trying to figure it out. Full confession: yes, I did ask you out because I wanted a date to the fundraiser so I wouldn’t look like a chump in front of Lindsay and her new husband. Maybe that makes me pathetic and weak and an asshole, but it’s not the whole story. Ikeptgoing out with you because I think you’re amazing. I’ve never met a girl like you. I love your body and your gentle heart and the way you take care of my daughter and the way you make me feel. Do you hear me Ally? Iloveyou.”

This is the third time he’s used the L-word, and my heart turns over in my chest, making me catch my breath.

“But why then? Why did you buy all those things? You definitely don’t need them.”