Chasing Forever(51)

Her stomach dropped. This conversation sounded faintly reminiscent of a conversation they had six years ago when she asked why he acted differently when his friends were around. He’d blown off the conversation, and told her his life was complicated, which made sense given what happened later. Not sharing their relationship with coworkers was probably a good idea, but she didn’t like the idea of being his dirty little secret either. “So what would you suggest?” she asked attempting to keep her voice light and unconcerned.

He rubbed his thumb over her wrist. “I really want to continue seeing you, but until your summer associate position ends, I think we need to keep it between us. I don’t want to jeopardize your future whether it’s at Martin and Black or some other firm.”

She nodded.

“We should establish some rules of conduct so we both know what to expect, and no one gets hurt.”

For some reason, not entirely founded in rational thought, his statement angered her more than she’d ever admit, and a tiny part of her wanted to hurt him too. Tugging her hand out of his grasp, she ran her hands through her hair, pushing it out of her face. “You’re right. We both have a lot of things going on right now. Maybe we should shelve this until the end of the summer when we’ve both had time to think about it with a clear head.”

His eyes narrowed, and he didn’t seem as though he liked her answer. “Other than work, what are you referring to?”

“Well, technically, I’m still dating Parker.”

“You said you went on two dates with him. That doesn’t count as dating him or at least that’s what you said a week ago. Did something change you didn’t tell me about?”

“Yes, we went on two dates, but we do have another scheduled for next weekend, and I can’t cancel. He asked me a few weeks ago.”

“Wait, let me get this straight. Last night you slept in my bed, yet you fully intend to continue dating Parker.”

“It’s not like that,” Regan said weakly, her words sounding hollow even to her own ears.

Lucas folded his arms across his chest. “Then what is it like?”

Not sure what to say, Regan pulled her purse into her lap, looking for something, anything to avoid looking at him. “He asked me to his brother’s engagement party. I can’t flake because his whole family will be there. I don’t want to embarrass him.” She pulled a piece of gum out of the side pocket of her purse and stuffed it in her mouth.

“You’re already meeting his family,” he said with a blank look on his face, the spark in his amber eyes dull. “Interesting.”

“It’s not like that,” she repeated as she reached out to grab his arm, and he flinched, then pulled away as though he couldn’t stand her touch. “Lucas, listen to me,” said pleaded, her voice turning desperate. She may have wanted to hurt him or his ego, but she didn’t want him to be angry, not like this.

“What’s there to say? I get it. You had a fun couple days, but you still want to keep your options open, play the field, see if there’s anything better out there.” Anger radiated off of him.

“No!” She yelled, causing the people on the other side of the aisle to turn and look at her. She grabbed his hand again and pulled it into her lap, with enough force that he couldn’t pull away without making a scene. “Parker and I have been friends for over two years, and yes we went on a few dates, but I have no intention of pursuing anything with him. If I felt anything for him other than friendship, nothing would have happened between us this weekend. I know it looks bad, but I don’t play games with people.”

“Then don’t go with him next weekend,” he demanded, his face still tight with anger.

She leaned her forehead against his shoulder inhaling his clean, spicy scent and she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to go with Parker, but she promised and more than anything Parker was her friend. As for Lucas, she wanted him so much her heart hurt, but she couldn’t trust herself when it came to him. She already craved him as much if not more than six years ago and that scared her. He could destroy her and tie her into knots with one heated look or his provocative smile.

“He’s my friend and I hate to break a promise. I’m not okay hurting him,” she murmured into his side.

He placed one of his hands on her back, then he leaned in and kissed the top of her head, coaxing a slight shiver out of her. “I know, but he wants to be more than friends, and I’m not okay with that.”

“You don’t have to be,” she said, peering up at him, a soft smile on her face. “Nothing will happen between Parker and me.”