Free Actual Stop by Kara A. McLeod Page B

refused to look at me.
    “So,” I said finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, “since we’re both here, do you want to grab breakfast before we head over to Manhattan? Do we have time?”
    “Sure.” The chill in Allison’s voice sent a ripple up my spine and made me faintly nauseous. She focused solely on her bag, almost as if I weren’t even there.
    I bit back the aggravated retort that swam to my lips, refusing to let her know that she’d thrown me. I hated it when she behaved like this, and I hated it even more that I still cared. But she didn’t need to know that. “Any place in particular you’d like to go?”
    “No.” Her movements had become quick and jerky, her search obviously not going well.
    I sat down on the bench and began drying my feet with a paper towel so I could put my socks on. I continued to watch her silently from beneath my eyebrows. The out-of-control thudding in my chest now had more to do with my discomfort caused by her mood than any lingering arousal.
    “Damn it.”
    I jumped. “What’s the matter?”
    Allison sighed, her irritation plain. “I forgot my flip-flops in my hotel room.”
    I slipped on my shoes, retrieved my flip-flops from the floor in front of my locker, and put them down in front of her.
    She glanced up at me and looked somewhat surprised.
    I shrugged and grinned. “Easily remedied.”
    “Thanks.” Her cool demeanor was beginning to thaw somewhat.
    I shot her another quick smile, sloughing off a vague sense of relief. As I finished getting dressed and donned all my equipment in silence, I stole glances at Allison in the mirror whenever I thought I could get away with it.
    She padded back and forth between the shower and her duffel bag, carefully setting out her shampoo, conditioner, and soap, singing along with the song playing on the radio. She ironed her shirt and organized her clothes while I put on my makeup.
    I spent several long minutes arranging my hair so it fell down artfully over my forehead on one side in an effort to hide the gash. I turned my head back and forth a few times, examining my work. I bobbed my head once, pleased with the result, and twisted away from the mirror just in time to see Allison streak past me, naked.
    The fire reignited in my cheeks, and I dropped my eyes. My breath caught in my throat, and my heart stopped beating. Damn, that woman was gorgeous!
    “You okay?” Allison asked.
    “Sure,” I lied, my voice cracking. I winced and cleared my throat, turning my back on her to gather my belongings, grateful to have a task that gave me a reason not to look at her. I swung my bag up onto my shoulder. “I’m going to my desk for a few minutes to get some stuff done. Meet you down at the car. I’m parked out front. Black Impala across from the fire hydrant.”
    “Okay,” Allison replied as she disappeared into the shower. “I’ll be down ASAP.”
    I breezed out of there as fast as I could, never looking back.

Chapter Seven

    As I made my way back upstairs to my desk, my mind was spinning like Brody’s fishing reel as Jaws was pulling it. I couldn’t remain focused on my upcoming assignment and all the tasks that lay ahead of me. Instead, I thought about Allison’s complete lack of modesty in the locker room just now and what, if anything, it’d meant. Not that it should’ve mattered. I had a not-girlfriend, and Allison had broken my heart ages ago.
    The sound of barely contained shouting interrupted me. I frowned and consulted my watch. Who could even be in at this hour, let alone engaged in such a heated argument? Only the gym rats should’ve been in the office. And I couldn’t think of anyone who would’ve been yelling.
    The shouting grew louder the farther I went down the hall.
    “Goddamn it, Dharma! What the hell’s the matter with you? Are you a complete fucking moron? What did I tell you? Huh? How many times have we had this conversation?” A pause. Then, “Stop! Just fucking stop. How hard is that?