Arlene's POV
"Looking at you right now, I honestly can't tell if I want to kiss your mouth or give you a black eye," I confess.
We stare at each other for a moment. He lets my words sink in and I watch his expression go through the works. First comes the guilt, raw and unmistakable. Then shock flashes across his features. Finally, unexpectedly, amusement takes over. When he laughs, it transforms his entire face, erasing the exhaustion that mirrors my own bone-deep weariness.
"Fair enough. I've definitely earned both reactions. Your call," he says with that infuriating grin of his.
"This whole mess is a disaster and here I am still flirting with you," I groan, rolling my eyes at myself. "I should be furious with both of us right now. So why can't I manage it?"
"You just had your dream career ripped away from you," he says softly.
"Actually, this makes number four," I correct him.
"What do you mean?"
