Free A Moment of Truth: A Complete Bonus Set (A Matter of Trust #1-2) by Q. T. Ruby

to sit on the edge of my bed, trying to shake the sick that rumbles deep inside.
    Dan stares at the photo a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. “All right. Two questions—why do you still have these photos, and why would he leave you for her?”
    I sigh softly. “Honestly, I only kept the photo that’s got her in it because it was the only group shot I had of my sorority together and . . . I thought I got rid of the other one.” I can’t believe I forgot about it. “I guess he was happier with her than with me.”
    I focus on my bare toes. I’m waiting to hear the door click shut behind him because who wants to deal with that kind of baggage? But instead, the bed shifts as he sits beside me. I feel his eyes on me.
    “I don’t know what that guy was thinking. She’s a six to your ten. He couldn’t be a bigger arsehole.”
    I chuckle, relief and nerves in equal measure jittering inside my belly. I focus on my fingers twisting in my lap. “Thank you . . . but looks aren’t everything.”
    “True, but there’s much more to you than good looks.”
    “That’s very nice of you, but—” I look up to see him rub the back of his neck.
    “No, I’m serious. You have . . . quite a lot in your favor.”
    The shift in mood is a far cry from earlier when our heavy flirtation played openly around the pool table.
    I nod. “Thank you for being so sweet.”
    We’re quiet for another moment. What can I say? I’m irreparable? I was a naïve fool? I’m a reject? I wasn’t enough for him, so how could I ever be enough for someone else, especially a freaking movie star?
    Just when the desperate thoughts begin to pull me under, Dan says, “I hope your brothers found him.” He nudges me playfully with his shoulder.
    I peek up at him, and I can’t help but return the crooked smile he’s aiming at me. “They’re still hunting.”
    He laughs quietly. “Your parents must have been quite angry.”
    I tilt my head and sigh. “Well, that’s a whole other story, and I think I’ve tortured you enough tonight.”
    He nods. “Fair enough. So . . . when might I see you again?”
    See me again? With a cautiously optimistic smile, I say, “You’re the one flying across the country. You tell me.”
    “Well, I leave for L.A. after some meetings tomorrow, and my schedule is insane this week, but I believe I have a couple of days off at some point coming up in the next couple of weeks. I forget the exact dates. Anyway, maybe we’ll see each other then?”
    “But you’ll be in L.A.”
    “It’s not that far by plane.”
    I shake my head. “I can’t call out of work.” I won’t blow off work to take a trip. Not for a guy. I’m smarter than that.
    He nods. “Maybe I’ll fly back, then.”
    My heart launches into my throat. “You’d fly back to see me? You must have a million girls at your disposal on the West Coast.” I’m teasing—sort of.
    “True . . . but I’m running out.”
    I laugh, enjoying how quickly he can make me laugh. “Oh, so I guess it’s time to move on to the East Coast women?”
    He peers down at me through his long lashes, his full lips tugged up on one side. “Or woman.”
    My heart flips and flops in my throat, but I won’t let myself buy it. “Woman, huh?”
    He rolls his eyes. “Claire, really, how many women’s bedrooms do you think I just hang around in?”
    I raise a “do you really want an answer?” eyebrow.
    He shakes his head and chuckles. “For your information, if I was merely here for one thing, I’d have had you undressed long ago.”
    I raise my eyebrows, smiling. “You think so, huh?”
    “Yes, I do. I’m just . . . too polite.”
    “Too polite?” I nearly bust out laughing.
    “Or maybe I’m just an idiot.”
    We both burst into laughter, releasing the tension in the room, and that’s when our eyes lock, speaking the same language, craving the same thing. The atmosphere shifts once again, this time instantly growing tight and thick with heat.
    The smile on