page56 (1/2)

“Gemma,” he said He rubbed his eyes “Jesus”

“You looked happy You hugged her You smiled And I realized I couldn’t remember the last time you’d smiled It was then I wondered if you weren’t better off without me in your life You were miserable with us, weren’t you?”

“With her, yeah Not with you”

“I wish you would have told me”

“Yeah, well, as worried as you were about losing me? I was just as worried Especially since I knew you weren’t into guys As far as I knew there was nothing tying us together but Sally and friendship”

“And if there could be more? That woman is she— ”

“She was just a fling I don’tthere’s no one Well, I thought that maybe Thea— ”

“Thea?” Jardin straightened, a strang

e look co over his face

“Yeah, Thea When I first saw you with her, looking all cozy, guess I just lost it I thought you’d sent her to torture me I kno stupid that sounds It’s not like you could have set ouran idiot”

“It’s okay I get it” Jardin looked thoughtful “Can we talk about Thea later? Right nohat I want to know is if there is a chance you could forgive ive me a chance?”

Christ, it was hard to ask

He was ahis way, but he’d had to eat his share of humble pie He’d fucked up And whatever way Carrick chose to punish him would only be fair

Jardin hardly dared breathe as he watched Carrick As he waited for his reply

“I don’t know, J Don’t you think there’s too e? I ain”