Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 10
How much did Betsy know about my and Shannon’s past? It sounded as though she didn’t know much. That was good because I didn’t need any lecture from Betsy right now. But whether or not I liked Shannon wasn’t what was on my mind right now. Did she need his protection as well? Was Shannon in some type of danger?
Fuck. Maybe if I’d reached out years ago, she wouldn’t need security now.
I turned and looked out the window, catching sight of the Bachelor Towers. I had wanted to gain some insider information from Ralph, but if I continued to see Shannon, I might be risking any chance I had at getting an apartment there.
But if I play my cards right, can I have it all?
I was good at one thing: getting everything I wanted. The question was, did I really want both or was I just caught in memories of something that I remembered as better than it really was?
There was only one way to find out, and that was for me to have sex with her again. Shannon would never go for a casual relationship and I sure as hell am not interested in anything serious. It would only get in the way of the goal I’ve been working towards for the past few years.
I’m going to live at the towers no matter what it costs me.
Chapter 4
Shannon
“Betsy, you of all people should understand. Jace isn’t just any guy.” He’s the only guy. “I didn’t sleep at all last night because of the stunt you pulled. You’re supposed to be my friend.”
“I am your friend, Shannon! And sometimes friends know what you need more than you do yourself,” Betsy stated.
Even over the phone, I could sense her Miss Know-It-All smile. “And sometimes they push their luck and their friends get pissed off,” I warned.
“Are you telling me you’re not happy to see Jace again?”
I wasn’t really sure how I felt about it. Part of me wanted to yell and scream at him. And yet if he had pulled me into his arms and kissed me, I’d have kissed him back. Could it be the remnants of what once was an amazing physical connection? I’ve never been one who functioned on that alone. But nothing was normal when it came to me and Jace. Why should this be any different?
“Betsy, I know what you’re trying to do. You think if you get us together, somehow we’ll rekindle what we had years ago. That’s not possible. Some things can’t be fixed,” I admitted sadly.
It takes two people working towards the same goal. Just looking at Jace, I could tell he wasn’t on the same page as I am. I’m not even sure we’re reading the same book. I had no idea what he’d been doing all these years, but it didn’t look like he had developed a lifestyle I could live with.
“Shannon, you get in your own way. Why don’t you just enjoy tonight and see where it leads? Who knows, you might even have fun.”
I chuckled. “I’m not sure he knows what the word means anymore. Maybe you see a different side of him in the office.”
“Hardly. I think you can help him break out of that rut he’s in,” Betsy said.
“Hmm. I’m beginning to think you’re doing this for you and not me.”
Now Betsy laughed. “You mean that if I make my boss happy in his personal life, he’ll be nicer in the office?”
“Exactly,” I said flatly. Hearing about Jace made it sound like he was a tyrant to work for. What happened to change the kind, loving guy I’d fallen in love with?
“Let’s just say I consider it a win for all of us. You’ll be happy, he’ll be happy, and I’ll…”
“Have something to gossip about,” I teased. “Messing with your boss’s relationship is a good way to find yourself on the unemployment line. And like you said, sometimes a friend knows things you don’t. And you’re not going to find another employer who would put up with your being a…buttinsky.”
“Me? I’m no such thing. If anything, I’m helpful,” Betsy said smugly.
Oh, yeah. You’ve ‘helped’ me right into another awkward situation.
“Maybe try being a little less helpful, then. From now on, I’d appreciate it if you let Jace and me decide if we want to talk.” I could make the suggestion, but I knew she wouldn’t heed my advice.
“You can spend your time telling me what I should do, or you can go and get ready, because you’re supposed to meet him soon. I bet you haven’t even picked out what to wear or done your makeup.”
“We’re going bowling. I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I’m not out to impress him.” Or turn him on.
“Oh, Shannon, am I going to have to leave work and come help you?”
“I don’t think Jace would find that to be a good use of company time. Now get your butt back to work and let me do the same.”
“Maybe I need to teach you both how to have fun,” Betsy said before the line went dead.
I’m fun. Well…kind of. I sat on the couch thinking about the last time I went out for fun. I spent so much time working abroad that when I was back in the States, all I wanted to do was relax. My big outings were meeting up with Betsy and going out to eat. Fun, but not by Betsy’s standards. That’s why I agreed to bowling even though I suck at it. Now I get to go with Jace and totally embarrass myself with gutter ball after gutter ball. Where’s the fun in that?
This would make last night’s dinner seem enjoyable by comparison. There was no way I could go bowling with Jace. I had told him I’d meet him, but now I was regretting that.
Grabbing my cell phone, I sent him a text.
CHANGE OF PLANS. LET’S GO FOR ICE CREAM INSTEAD.
I wasn’t canceling our date, but nothing wrong with altering it a