Hollywood Heir (Westerly Billionaire #4)(21)

“It would be easy to fall into bed with you.”

“Not that easy,” she felt the need to protest. She’d never had sex outside a relationship.

His nostrils flared, and the air sizzled between them. “I’m not in a good place right now. I’m still figuring out a few things. Fucking you would just confuse me more.”

Sage released his arm. What did a woman say to that? “Well, I’m glad we’ve covered how you would feel about it.”

He shrugged. “You’d be devastated when I moved on. And I would move on. I always do.”

“Wow.” That’s quite an ego he has there. “I really dodged a bullet.” She didn’t attempt to disguise the sarcasm in her voice. How did I imagine he could be the one for me? Maybe I do need to get my head checked.

He gave her a funny look. “All I’m trying to say is that I have a lot more shit going on in my life right now than I can talk to you about. Starting anything with you wouldn’t be fair to you.”

Sage folded her arms across her chest. “That’s fine.”

“I thought we could be friends, but every time I’m near you, I really want to—”

“Got it,” Sage said, while raising one hand up for him to stop. The last thing she wanted was to hear another person make excuses for why they didn’t want to be with her. “Well, this is it. Thanks for helping me find my next client.”

He frowned but didn’t say anything for a few minutes, just glared at her. “What happens if that guy calls you?”

“What do you mean what happens?”

“Don’t meet up with him.”

“Wait, you don’t want to be with me, but you think you can tell me what I can or can’t do?”

“I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Sage rolled her eyes skyward. “He’s a little old man practically crying in the park over a dog. Did he look dangerous to you?”

“You’re too trusting.”

“Even with you?”

He swore beneath his breath. “Even with me.”

Sage hiked her purse farther up on her shoulder and met his angry gaze. “That’s a real shame, because I was starting to like you.”

With her chin high in the air, she turned and walked away. He didn’t follow.

“He has so much shit going on in his life,” she muttered as she walked back to her apartment. “Too much shit to share. It wouldn’t be fair to me.”

A man in a suit at her side gave her an odd look, then said, “He’s married.” He walked on by.

Sage gasped. “I didn’t even think of that. That bastard probably has a wife.”

Just then her phone rang. Bella. Coincidence or message from the universe? “Hi, Bella.”

“Hey, Sage. Just checking in on you. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be fine?”

“Easy, tiger. I’m not suggesting anything. Best friend here. I call all the time, and usually you don’t jump down my throat about it, but now that you have, I need to ask—what’s wrong? Because you sound upset.”

Sage sighed. “Did you do the background check on Wayne Easton?”

“Oh, shit. No. I forgot. This case kind of sucked me in. Why? Have you seen him again? Is there a problem?”

Sage slapped a hand on her forehead. “No. No problem. At least not on his side.”

“Oh boy. What happened?”

Sage arrived back at her apartment and let herself in. “If I tell you, you’re going to think I’m crazy.”

“You are crazy, but I still love you. Spill it.”

Sage kicked off her shoes. “I took him with me today to find a client.”

“Wait, so you no longer think he needs help?”

“Oh, he needs help. I just don’t know if I’m the one meant to do it.”

“You’re beginning to worry me, Sage. I think you should stay away from this guy.”

“That’s pretty much a moot point now.”

“Good.”

“Not good.” Sage collapsed onto her couch. “He kissed me, and for just a second I thought I saw—forever.”

“Sage—”

“Don’t say it, Bella. I know. It’s ridiculous. He’s obviously troubled. I’m probably transferring my abandonment issues to him. I realize he can’t fill that void. I didn’t sleep with him. It was just a kiss. It didn’t matter. And I’m not going to see him again, and it’s probably for the best. Okay?” Sage sucked in a breath only when her rushed speech came to an end.

After a pause, Bella asked, “Which wine would you like me to bring over tonight?”

“You choose. You have good taste.” Sage could have said she didn’t need the wine or the comfort company, but she missed Bella. It would be good to see her. “Hey, on a happier subject, I met my next client today.”

“You did? Who?”

“I don’t know his name yet, but I already have a plan for him if he calls me. It came to me the second I saw him holding on to a dog collar so sadly, like he’d just lost his best friend. He looked so lonely. I might need your help.”

“My help?”