“No need to get so worked up, Ginny. You don’t really believe his shit, do you? I’ve known you for a few years. How long have you known him? Have I ever done anything to you to make you think I’m like whatever it is he told you?”
I shake my head because Mark has never made me think that about him before. But isn’t that what predators do? Make you think they’re something they aren’t?
I have to distrust Mark on some level. I found it easy to believe what Barrett had told me. Not only that, but Neal told me some stuff last night. There had been some rumors about him that he could be pushy and overbearing. Now that I know about it, I can see that he’d been that way with me.
“I’m only saying you haven’t known that man long.” He tsks at me, and that further pisses me off.
“But why would he make up stuff about you?” I blurt out.
Mark’s jaw clenches. “Don’t be naïve, Ginny.” Mark stands and walks around my desk. I lean back, my eyes going to the door. I know people are out there in the hallway. It would only take a small scream and someone would come running. Mark gives me a small smirk as if he’s enjoying my discomfort. “He wants you. Not that I blame him.” His eyes roam over my body, making my skin crawl.
“Don’t be silly. A man like Barrett doesn’t want me.” I try and laugh it off, but my own words hurt me.
Mark’s smirk drops away. “So you’re interested in him?” he bites out.
“I didn’t say that.” But come on. Look at the man. Who wouldn’t be interested? Well, except my sister, who still doesn’t get what I’m talking about when I say Barrett is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Don’t get wrapped up in his looks and money like all the other stupid little girls around town. You’re better than that, Ginny.”
Once again he makes me feel like a chastised child. How does he keep doing that to me? Still, a part of what he’s saying hits home. Am I lusting after a man for his looks? I’m not sure. I’ve never lusted after a man before. It’s all new to me, but it has to be something more than looks. His eyes are soulful and he’s so down to earth. Barrett is a good old boy, as my mom would call him. And I believe he’s a good man.
“I really should get back to work.” I try to dismiss Mark by opening the book I’d closed. I don’t want to talk about Barrett with him. It feels wrong. Plus, I still believe what Barrett told me and want nothing to do with Mark.
“Let’s go get lunch. You gotta eat right?” He straightens up next to my desk.
I look up at him and he’s so different to me now. I don’t see him as the okay guy I ran into around work, the one who was always trying to talk me into a date. Now I swear I can see the darkness that lies beneath the polished look he tries to show everyone.
“I really shouldn’t,” I say as he reaches down to grab my arm.
“Don’t touch my baby sister.” Both our heads snap to the doorway where Gabi is standing. She always calls me her baby sister whenever she’s mad, even though I’m only a minute younger than her. “Didn’t your mom teach you not to go grabbing girls?” She steps into my office and places a bag of food on the side table.
Mark puts his hands up and Gabi looks at me. “Unless they want it.” She winks at me before turning a deadly look back at Mark. “And I promise you, she doesn’t want it.”
I often find it hard to say rude things, but Gabi gives no shits.
“Gabi,” Marks laughs, like my sister is joking around, but we all know she’s not.
“I think you should go,” I add, wanting Mark out of here before Gabi really lets loose.
This time when the anger shows on Mark face he doesn’t try to hide it before he stomps from my office.
“That man needs to stay the fuck away from you.” Gabi digs through her purse and pulls out her cell phone.
I get up and grab it from her. “That is not going to help,” I tell her.
I have a feeling Barrett already gave him a warning, and if that didn’t work only the law will. It’s clear he doesn’t care or have common sense.
“He’s slimy. I wish I had known he was the guy who’s been asking you out.” I hand her the cell phone back and watch as she texts. I assume she’s telling Neal. She slides it back into her purse when she’s done.
She picks up the bag of food she brought and pulls out small boxes. “I thought we could have lunch.” My stomach growls when I see she went to my favorite Chinese place. I grab a crab rangoon and break it in half before taking a bite. I skipped breakfast because I rushed out of the house in an effort to avoid embarrassing myself once again.