Fool Me Once by Sandra Lee Page A

angered her,
    “What?” she almost screamed
    “Eva? Listen I am sorry I reacted like this. I just want to thank you for letting me spend the night, and err… well maybe I was out of line for saying some of the stuff I said.” He apologized, and when, still there was no answer coming from the other side of the door, he worried.” Eva, are you all right in there?”
    “Whatever, don’t trouble yourself. I don’t care about anything you said or say. I have finally figured out that you never say anything remotely interesting. So please, just do as I asked and go.” She was happy to notice her voice didn’t reflect any of the inner turmoil she was experiencing. She listened carefully for retreating footsteps, and when she didn’t hear anything, she threw her bedroom door open. When she did so, she found herself standing a disturbing few inches from him.
    “What are you still doing here? I thought I made it clear I didn’t want you here anymore. I wanted you out of my apartment, out of my life, out, out, out!” She said irritably.
    “I thought maybe we could come to a truce.” For the first time since she had met him, Jake sounded unsure of himself.
    “A truce?” she struggled to understand his new game. Why was he mentioning a truce when she knew he didn’t want her around any more then she wanted him around? Was he trying to get her guards down just do he could pounce on her more efficiently?
    “Yes a truce. I realize it’s been eight years since that night. Maybe I misunderstood you then, maybe I am still doing the same now, or maybe I was right all along. Think is, it’s been such a long time, and I should just let it drop. Maybe you aren’t the only one at fault, I don’t know. What I know is that us fighting like that all the time isn’t very conductive to leading a peaceful life. Maybe we can be friends again, or at least civil with each other. Let’s just forget anything ever happened, start new.”
    “I will never be able to forget what happened, it made me who I am today. But I agree, you should stop blaming and insulting me. I can be civil if you are. As for being friends, I don’t think so.” She shook her head as if to emphasize her statement.” I think our history will prevent us from ever being that. Thank you for admitting that maybe you were wrong about me, my word may mean nothing to you, but trust me, you were wrong. It doesn’t matter much anymore, but thank you nonetheless.” Eva extended her hand so they could shake on the truce. Jake grabbed it and slowly shook it, his eyes searching hers. Looking for something, but he wasn’t quite sure what.
    Eva stilled herself against the strong feeling of longing that overcame her as their hands touched. Looking everywhere but in his eyes, for fear he could see her struggles, she quickly removed her hand from his and backed away a few steps.
    “Well err…you can find the number of a cab company on the fridge, I need to get dressed and get on with my day.”
    “Sure, well thanks for lending me your couch for the night.”
    “Don’t mention it. Well bye.”
    At those words, she went into her room and closed the door silently behind her. Holding her breath, she listened to his retreating steps. Once she was sure he had finally gone, she went to her bed and curled into a ball. He actually had apologized for his behavior, why?
     
    Jake called a cab and went to wait outside. He was still in disbelief at himself for offering apologies. Sure they were kind of required after the way he had treated her, but that was the whole point. To keep her away from him, hurting her enough so she would never want to see him. Because let’s face it, he wasn’t doing so well in that department. No matter what he thought of her, he still felt overpowering lust every time he came near her of even just thought of her. He needed for her to despise and avoid him, so they wouldn’t make a huge mistake, like the one they had almost made the night before. He