Page 22 of Unravel Me

“You have a body in this one?” I joke, pulling my dangling cigarette from my mouth.

Her long lashes blink rapidly. “No, it’s shoes.” She nearly hip checks me. “Now watch out please, before the trunk decapitates you.” I ducked out of the way just in time as the trunk door came down.

“By the way, cigarettes are known carcinogens. Have you thought about giving them up?” she asks curtly.

That’s fresh, coming from her.

“I hear liquor can kill, too.”

She shoots me a glare that makes me wish I could swallow my words.

Between the parked cars, the tension is as thick as the humid air around us. She clearly wants me to move out of the way, but I’m hell bent on getting my answer. Even though I’m much bigger than her, I don’t doubt she could put me in my place.

“Did I do something to upset you?”

She laughs without smiling. “You don’t even know me.” Audrey grabs the top of the dolly, trying to push it past me but I grip the side, stopping her in her tracks.

Her cheeks blush and hazel eyes dilate as they meet mine.

“You’re right. I don’t know you, but can’t you see I was trying to?”

Audrey cocks her head back.

“Here’s the thing, Rhett. It’s hot as hell today, and I’m running on four hours of sleep. I’ve spent all morning arguing with movers who clearly didn’t show up. So, now it’s just me and my friend moving all my stuff out of my ex’s apartment.” She puffs out an angry breath, leaning into me. “And you know what I really don’t have time for in my life? Cheaters. So, if you could kindly move aside, and stop showing up everywhere, I’d really appreciate it.” Her words could slice, but I narrowed my eyes, doubling down, because I was anything but a cheater. And even though she is clearly pissed, all I want at this moment is to turn her day around. Don’t ask me why. There’s something about this girl that won’t stop pulling me like a damn magnet.

Audrey white knuckles the side of the hand truck, so I release it, stepping aside to let her through.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get more sleep, and I can’t change the weather, but I can help you move boxes.”

“What?” she snaps.

Shrugging, I repeat myself. “Don’t pretend you don’t need help.” I smile, which I thought would help but she forcefully shoves the dolly across the bumpy road. Like an ass, I follow her, fully aware the odds are not stacked in my favor right now.

“What would Mabel think of you helping me?” Audrey spat out and now I was genuinely confused. I don’t remember ever talking to her about Mabel. I mean, I had a handful of whiskeys at the Bourbon Barrel, but I have a pretty good memory of that night. It’s been replaying in my head all week.

“Well darlin’, I think Mabel would be okay with it. Last I checked her plans involved sleeping all day.”

My answer somehow only angers Audrey further, and she whips the dolly onto the sidewalk. With a vicious scowl on her pouty pink lips, she stares me dead in the eye, making my heart skip a beat.

Probably not her intention.

“Don’t darlin’ me. And like I said, I have no time for two timing cheats—"

“Wait a minute.” I think I know what’s happening and if I’m right I'm going to lose my mind. Cautiously raising my hand, I slip my phone from my back pocket. I have to bite my lip, so I don’t laugh as I scroll to a photo of Mabel and hold it up silently to show Audrey.

The tightness in her face drops so quickly I actually feel kinda bad.

“So, Mabel is a...”

“She’s a two-year-old bloodhound,” I replied coolly.

Audrey’s cheeks turn bright pink.

“Right. Well, I’m sorry, but you can see why I'd think that. Nothing has really gone my way lately, and I’m beginning to think I only attract complete jerks into my life.” She gestures around, and my stomach sinks with heaviness as I recall the first time I met her on the rooftop. She was trying so hard to hide her tears, carrying that champagne bottle like a lifeline. I wanted nothing more that night than to find the fucker who did that to her.

“Don’t sweat it, it’s an honest mistake. Mabel would be flattered, but I won’t be telling her. The ego of a hound is already through the roof,” I comment, and she gives a tiny nod. “But hey, if you’ll let me, I'd be happy to help.” I put my hand to my chest. “I have no plans until five.”

Why don’t you just scream that you’re a single guy with way too much free time?