If I Loved You Less
Page 17
Vince hadn’t seemed to mind, especially since Robert had very little stuff to bring up to his new room. But Robert still didn’t like being so useless.
He was used to keeping busy. Being active.
He wasn’t used to sitting around and watching other people work.
He hadn’t seen Anne yet.
Maybe it would be a long time before he did.
“Okay,” Vince said, coming out to join him on the terrace. He took a seat across the table from Robert. “All done.”
“Thanks for doing that.”
“No problem.” Vince was four years older than Robert, but the two men looked very similar. Both of them were around six feet with dark hair, broad shoulders, and a strong jaw. Robert had blue eyes instead of Vince’s gray, but it was obvious the two were brothers. “You look like you’d rather be anywhere else in the world.”
“That’s not true. I’m fine with being here. But who the hell likes to be injured?”
“Not me. I’m sorry it happened to you.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.” Robert said the words, hoping he believed them.
“Try to think about this as a vacation. This is a really nice place to live. I think you’ll like it if you give it a chance.”
“I am giving it a chance, but it’s only going to be temporary.”
Pemberley House was beautiful. The mansion had been built in the 1890s and only converted to condos ten years ago. The finishes were elegant, and the historic character preserved as much as possible. The grounds of the estate were extensive with perfectly tended gardens and walking paths.
Robert would still prefer to live on the coast.
And he’d definitely prefer more distance from Anne.
As if his thoughts had conjured her, she appeared in the parking lot just then, getting out of a small dark red SUV.
He recognized her immediately, even just a glimpse of her from the side. She had reddish-brown hair and a short, curvy figure. No one in the world had an ass like she did. His whole body—and heart—lurched in interest as she reached into the back of her car to grab a leather bag.
She must be coming home from work. She was dressed in gray trousers, a green top, and heels. She walked with the same purpose she always had—with fast strides and clear focus.
She was nearing the building when she looked up. Her friend lived in this unit, so maybe it was a habit for her to look up as she approached. But Robert wasn’t expecting it.
Their eyes met across the distance. His heart hammered in his chest.
The first time he’d ever seen her had been at freshman orientation in college. She’d been in his group, and she’d been rolling her eyes at the other kids’ antics.
He’d smiled at her, completely understanding her frustration, and she’d smiled back.
His heart had lurched back then, exactly as it did right now.
She looked away quickly and kept walking until she’d disappeared into the building.
Robert took a deep breath and told himself the worst was over.
Of course it was weird to see her again after so long. The last time he’d seen her he’d been begging her to accept his marriage proposal. The memory of it still made him cringe.
But now that he’d seen her, things would be fine. He wasn’t always going to feel this way.
One’s college girlfriend wasn’t a life-changing event. He wasn’t hung up on her anymore.
He was ready to move on.
He was going to.
Whether Anne was around or not.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE about Loved None But You here.
About Noelle Adams
NOELLE HANDWROTE HER first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she writes full time, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances. For more information, please check out her website: noelle-adams.com.