Exposed by Fate (Serve #2)(51)

“This isn’t happening,” he said, sitting up and burying his face in his hands.

“Yes, it is. Get dressed,” she whispered, tossing his dress pants into his lap “Where should I hide? Is the closet big enough?”

When the silence in the room stretched, she looked over and found Oliver watching her from underneath heavy eyelids. His face looked carved from stone. “Did you mean it when you said you didn’t want this to be over?”

“We can’t talk about it right now.”

“If you meant it, don’t hide.” He stood and stalked toward her. “Don’t hide.”

She paused in the middle of zipping her dress to back away, giving him an incredulous look. “Do you hear yourself? This isn’t a decision I can make in under two minutes.”

“Make it.”

This was a man she didn’t even recognize. His eyes snapped with temper, his body resembled immovable granite, when moments ago he’d touched her so sweetly, sent her past her peak so many times she’d lost count. He was asking her for the one thing she wouldn’t give him. Not without some rational thought and planning put into it. She wouldn’t cruelly confront Caroline with something of this magnitude. They needed to have a conversation. God, she didn’t even know what Oliver wanted. He stood in front of her making demands, but what would hurting her friend accomplish without knowing where they stood?

She yanked her zipper up. “I’m not going to hurt her for no reason.”

Oliver flinched and Eliza’s heart slowed to a dull thud. She reached for him immediately, desperate to explain herself. That she hadn’t meant he wasn’t a good enough reason.

The key turned in the lock and Eliza froze. Oliver lifted an eyebrow.

With only a split second to make a decision, Eliza lunged for the closet beside the bathroom and pulled the door shut. She pressed her forehead against the door and rolled it back and forth. Why did it feel like she’d just made an irreparable mistake?

She heard the heavy apartment door open and close, then the sound of Caroline’s heels clicking along the hardwood floor. “Hey. Catch you in the middle of something?”

Oliver’s cleared his throat. “Nope. Absolutely nothing.”

Those words sent a sharp pain right through her, making Eliza rub the heel of her palm under her breastbone. He sounded so cold. Detached.

“Which closet is she in?”

Eliza’s spine snapped straight. Had she heard Caroline right? The heels clicked closer. “Come on out, Eliza. Think of how much more embarrassing it will be if I open the closet door, versus you walking out on your own.”

Her stomach felt hollow as she let that scene unfold in her head. Caroline was right. But how had she known? Feeling the pressure of tears behind her eyelids, Eliza pushed open the door and stepped out. Caroline had her arms crossed, but apart from a pissed off expression, showed no reaction to Eliza’s appearance.

“How?” Eliza asked, barely moving her lips.

“How.” Caroline laughed without humor. “You two have been acting strange for weeks. Oh, and in case everyone forgot, I’m an investigative journalist. I’ve been interviewed on CNN.”

Eliza refused to look at Oliver, even though she really needed his support in the face of her best friend’s pain. It was there, burning through the anger. “I’m sorry,” was all she could manage.

“I gave you the perfect opening to tell me in the car last night, Eliza. Dammit.” She threw her purse onto Oliver’s couch. “We’re supposed to trust each other with everything. Even something like this.”

She couldn’t avoid looking at Oliver any longer. Shirtless and rumpled, he leaned against the wall staring out the window toward the East River. Like his mind was already on other, more important things. Hurting worse than she ever thought possible, she returned her attention to Caroline. “I should have told you. I’m sorry.”

Caroline glared at Oliver over her shoulder and Eliza couldn’t help but get the impression that her best friend was waiting for Oliver to speak up, too. Wanting him to speak up. “Look, he’s my brother and I love him.” She closed her eyes and huffed out a breath. “But—”

“But I’ll hurt you.” Oliver pushed off the wall, eyes dark and forbidding. “I go through women like water. I’m a playboy. I’ve taken more women to bed than I can count.” He hurled a glance at his sister. “She thought you were smarter than this, Eliza. Isn’t that what you wanted to say?”

Caroline bristled. “Don’t put words in my mouth. I only—”

“She’s right, Eliza.” His hands curled into fists and Eliza thought he might put them through the window, but he planted them on his hips instead. “You are better than me.”

Eliza wanted to sink down into the floor and weep, but she somehow managed to stay standing upright. She couldn’t remain in the apartment a second longer. Didn’t have time to wonder why Caroline looked disappointed or why Oliver would no longer meet her gaze. All she knew was the two people who she loved most in the world were directing their frustration at her. Maybe never wanted to see her again. She felt gutted. Bereft.

“Just go,” Oliver shouted, making her jump. “Go.”

She gathered her shoes and purse, unable to control the sobs that broke free. Before she reached the door, she felt Caroline’s hand on her shoulder. “Eliza, wait—”