It was so unfair - so true. And what right did he have to talk? He'd spent the last few hours with Lori. Tears of anger and shame burned her eyes as she swung away from him.
"Shut up!"
The words were strangled from her throat by a sob. She couldn't let him see her cry. She darted for the door.
Alex grabbed her arm as she passed, whirling her to face him.
"Woah, there. What's this?"
"Let me go." She jerked her arm, but his grip was strong. She turned her face away from him so he wouldn't see the tears coursing down her cheeks.
He pulled her close. "Don't confuse love with pity, Carmen. I did that once, and I nearly made the mistake of my life. Don't let him force you into a decision you're not ready to make."
She jerked her head around and stared up at him. "Pity? Josh? Why would I pity him?"
He gazed down at her for a moment.
"Because he loves a woman who can't return his love?"
"I love him."
His dark gaze was intense. "Do you? Then how do you explain this?"
He pulled her into his arms and claimed her lips. It was all wrong, and all she felt was anger. She jerked away from him and swung a hand at his face.
He grabbed her hand.
"All right, so now you're angry. But tell me you didn't feel anything the last time we kissed. Tell me you don't feel anything for me at all, and I'll leave - and never come back."
She stared at him mutely. She couldn't tell him. Not only because it would be a lie, but also because she didn't want him to leave and never come back.
He smiled wryly. "That's what I thought. So why are you going to marry him? Because you can't let him down?"
She snatched her hand from his grip. "What do you care?"
He gazed down at her for a moment, his eyes dark with emotion.
"Because I care about your happiness. I thought we were friends."
Only friends? She met his gaze and knew her lip was quivering. She swallowed down a lump in her throat and tore her gaze from his.
"We are." She turned toward the door.
"I came in here to tell you something." His voice followed her and when she stopped, he continued.
"After this last incident, Bill insisted that Katie get a phone. I know it's a major expense, so I made arrangements today. Just send me the bill and I'll take care of it."