If she’d had something to splash in his face, she would have. As it was, tears stung the back of her eyes as her nostrils flared. “There you go,” she said with a steadier voice than she expected. “You would have no reason to insult me if you didn’t care.”
His face hardened as she spoke, but he didn’t respond.
“Anyway,” she added, “for what it’s worth, I am sorry. I’ll see myself out.” She turned on her heels and marched out of the office and carried herself to her room without breaking down. Then, she refused to sit there and cry. Instead, she threw clothes into her suitcase while angrily brushing away tears. At least she’d be home soon.
As she left the hotel the next day to catch her flight, Maddox was in the lobby. She averted her eyes and hurried, hoping he wouldn’t notice. Or want to see her either.
While she waited for a taxi, Maddox approached her and said, “Leaving by yourself?”
Mila groaned internally. She regretted the moment they met at the stupid gala. “I have to get back to work.” The excuse had worked fine with Danny, who probably didn’t care if she was around either way.
Maddox looked her over. “You don’t have to leave on my account.”
“I’m not. I said I have work.” She kept her eyes straight ahead.
He smiled. “I’m not the only one who’s transparent.”
Mila sighed. “Look, I realize I’ve ruined whatever plans you had, but you could have been nicer about the whole thing.”
He tensed. “Yes, because you were super polite to me.”
She couldn’t argue; she knew she didn’t handle things well either. But this was still ridiculous. “I know you weren’t sincere–now more than before. So I’m sorry if the fact that I pointed out that you’re fake hurts your feelings, but it’s also the truth.”
He pressed his lips tight. A taxi rolled up and Maddox opened the door for her. “Have a nice flight.” He fake-smiled as she met his steely eyes.
After holding his gaze, she ducked into the backseat. He slammed the door, brushed his hands off, and marched back into the hotel.
If she never saw Maddox Cross again, it would be too soon.