“Then why are you evading me? Are you mad because Carlie and I are getting married?”
What could she say? She couldn’t tell him she wished he’d chosen her instead.
“You’re not going into this marriage with a commitment. You’re doing it like you’re signing up for a year at a gym. It’s a recipe for disaster. You’re both going to get hurt if you don’t commit to love each other.” Her belly clenched as she asked the question she was afraid to hear the answer to. “I know you were in love with my sister nine years ago, but what about now?”
He leaned forward, bracing both hands on the granite countertop. “Honestly, it’s hard to say. You know how enthusiastic and outgoing your sister is. I think that’s why I fell in love with her in the first place. She was the opposite of me. She gave me balance.”
Rylie felt like she’d swallowed a sponge that got stuck halfway down her throat. He’d only confirmed what she already knew. She and Jarrett were too much alike. She could never give him what he needed. If she really loved him, she had to help him get back together with her sister. Carlie was the only one who could make him happy.
“And now?”
“When she left me, I went into a depression and barely dug my way out. And ever since then I haven’t even tried to date seriously.” His jaw hardened. “For nine years, she shut me out of her life. I’m not sure I can learn to trust her again. I’m not sure I can learn to trust any woman.”
She knew exactly how he felt, being brushed off for nine years. But what good would it do to compare her heartache to his?
“That’s a harsh judgment on the rest of us, for something one woman did.”
“I knew I wasn’t being reasonable. But until now, I haven’t had a reason to change my mind. It was easier to simply avoid having a real relationship.”
“Carlie has her faults, but she would never hurt someone on purpose. Her problem is sometimes her mind has screwy reasoning, so she does things that don’t make sense to anyone else. But behind everything she does, she still has a good heart.”
“So you think Carlie and I should make a real commitment?”
“I think that’s the only way you’ll both be truly happy.” She worded her statement so it wasn’t a lie.
“And if I can get to the point where I could tell you I love your sister, you won’t avoid me, anymore?”
“Evade,” she corrected.
Dimples creased his cheeks. “You won’t evade me? Things will be back to normal between us?”
Rylie kept her half-smile frozen on her face, skillfully hiding the pain of her heart being ripped apart. “Absolutely. Back to normal.”
Back to wishing I could be my sister.
He wasn’t sure what he’d expected Rylie to say, but that wasn’t it. He’d evidently gotten the wrong impression. Her initial reaction to the marriage news, combined with her total avoidance during the days that followed, had made him examine their relationship from a fresh perspective. He’d almost convinced himself Rylie might have feelings for him that went beyond the bounds of friendship. But obviously, that wasn’t true. He ought to feel relieved. So why didn’t he?
He looked down to find his knuckles white as he gripped the granite edge like his life depended on it. He relaxed his hold. At least this conversation made his decision easier. As long as his friendship with Rylie was just that and nothing else, there was no reason not to offer her the job.
“I promise I’m taking our relationship seriously. If there’s any way we can work things out, it’s going to happen. Honestly, taking care of a sick kid will probably either bring us together or drive us apart. Hopefully, the former.”
Her mouth curved upward in a weak semblance of a smile. Evidently, his promise wasn’t enough to satisfy her. Maybe what he had to say next would put a genuine smile on her face.
“The real reason I came over is to ask if you’d be interested in coming to work for me.”
The shock on her face made him grin.
“You mean it? You want to hire me at Phantom Enterprises?”
“I do. It so happens a new position opened up.” It had opened up when he shifted some of the assignments, but she didn’t need to know that.
“But you haven’t even seen my resume.” Her brows bent and she crossed her arms. “You’re just doing this because you’re marrying my sister. Or maybe because you feel guilty that you ignored me for the last nine years.”
He’d expected her to be suspicious, so he was prepared.
“Or maybe I remember you were the top student in the class I taught, and I think you’d be a great employee.”
“You’re bound to have a stack of resumes in your office. Why would you choose me over them?”
“I went through ninety-seven resumes. All of them had great credentials, but none of them matched your level of snark and sarcasm.”
Her mouth twitched up at the corners. “Is that one of the job requirements?”
“Let’s just say I prefer employees with both brains and personality. So, do you want the job?”
“I might be persuaded, if the salary is sufficient.” Her chin jutted forward in challenge.
“It will be.”
“Excuse me,” she said. “Would you mind covering your ears?”
“You want me to cover my ears? Why?”
“Just do it,” she said, sternly. Then she added, “Please.”
The second his hands went over his ears, Rylie let out a shrill series of whoops, while jumping up and down all over the kitchen, like she was on a pogo stick. Jarrett laughed, immensely pleased to be the cause of her joy. When she slowed down like a drained wind-up toy, she sank to the wood floor, her back against the cabinet.
