Free Pretty Pink Ribbons by K. L. Grayson Page B

so twisted up he can’t fucking see straight.” How the hell he got that out of the little conversation we just had, I have no idea.
    “Really? Have you noticed that he’s been conveniently missing since the moment I started here?” Seriously, how am I supposed to weasel my way back into his life if he won’t even come near me?
    Mason shakes his head. “He hasn’t been missing.” Now this piques my interest. “He’s been watching from afar. I’m telling you . . . you coming back home has got him all sorts of discombobulated.” I was hoping my return would affect him, but I’m not sure I like hearing it put quite like that.
    “Why do you say that?”
    Mason runs a hand along his neck and looks down before he meets my curious gaze. “Fuck. I shouldn’t say anything because it’s none of my business.” I watch him, eyebrows raised, urging him to continue. “Fine,” he moans, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You being here has messed with his head, Lane. Don’t take that the wrong way, because I think he’s genuinely glad to see you. But he wasn’t expecting it, and now he doesn’t know what to do or how to act. I think he’s been hiding out because he’s afraid to be around you.”
    I can’t say I’m surprised. I think if my situation were any different than what it is, I’d be confused and nervous too. But it’s not, and I don’t necessarily have time on my side to mess with those types of feelings. “I’m not sure what to do with that, Mase.”
    “I’m not sure there is anything you can do,” he replies, his eyes apologetic. “I think it’s just something that will take time. He needs to get used to you being here, but I think seeing you every day will help with that. Personally, I’m thrilled you’re back.”
    Mason and I always did have fun working together, but it was more of a brother-sister type of friendship. When Levi gave me the ultimatum, Mason sided with me, which did not sit well with Big Brother . . . at all. “He’ll come around, Lane, just give him time.”
    There’s that word again . Time. If only I knew how much time I have left.
    I give him a tight smile and walk toward the door. “Where are you going?” I hear from behind me.
    “To talk to Levi.” I push the door open and pause to look back at Mason, who has a huge grin on his face. “Aren’t you going to try and stop me?”
    He shakes he head. “Hell no.” And that’s all I need. The door swings shut behind me, muting Mason’s laughter. I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to say to Levi, but I feel like I have to say something. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable, and if my being here is making it that hard on him, then I’ll leave. I stop in front of Levi’s office door and take a deep breath, running a shaky hand over my ponytail.
    Knocking twice, I push open the door, and the scene in front me stops me cold. My breath hitches and my heart stops. Levi is standing in the middle of his office, his arms wrapped tightly around a woman whose face I cannot see. His gaze meets mine and he stills, his beautiful blue eyes as wide as they can be.
    I look around the room, my eyes landing on anything they can possibly find except for the painful sight in front of me. I swallow hard, pushing back the thickness building in my throat. “I—I’m sorry. I should have . . . I shouldn’t have just . . .” My words come out broken and when I look at them, Levi drops his arms from the woman he was holding.
    She turns around and watches me carefully for a few seconds before speaking. “Hi,” she says, lifting her hand in a tiny wave and then looking at Levi, whose eyes are locked on mine. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but he looks shocked and maybe a little apologetic. My eyes drift to the beautiful woman at his side. Her hair is long with thick waves. She has stunning green eyes and a dimple that probably gets her whatever she wants. And based on what I saw when I walked in here, what she wants