Page 47 of Sugar Coated Secrets

And I have. I need to remember that. If it weren’t for me, he would have had his sex partner in his house last night, I’m sure. Instead, he stayed out after kissing me. I don’t want to be mad about that, but when I think of those lips on mine and then on another woman shortly after, a fire burns in my chest.

“Sadiecakes?” Easton touches my arm.

I blink and focus on him. His phone is down by his side.

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yep. Just lost in thought for a second. What’d he say?”

“He’s still looking into it and just wanted to keep me updated. It’s a lot to find with little to go on.”

“That’s what the police said, too.”

“He won’t stop until he finds something. I promise.”

I give him a grateful smile. “Thank you. I appreciate it and for you having me as a house guest. It’s been a good distraction.”

He picks an orange leaf from my flannel jacket, the color blending in with the brown, tan, and burnt orange plaid. It must have fallen on me when I was on the swing.

“When do you want to do this photo shoot?”

“When are you free?”

“It’s supposed to warm up a little tomorrow afternoon. It’d be easier for you to go topless.”

I snort. “You mean it’d be easier for you to go topless.”

“I don’t have any issues with that.”

“How do you feel about full frontal?”

“I’m game, if you are.”

Of course he is. I laugh and walk toward the door to go inside. This man is too much. “Tomorrow. 1:00 p.m. I’ll meet you by the dock.”

“Where are you going?” he asks but doesn’t follow me.

“To help Everleigh. I’ll be back later.”

In the reflection of the windows, I catch him watching me enter the house. His focus is on my ass, which happens to look phenomenal in these jeans.

When the door closes behind me, I glance over my shoulder to find him still staring at me. That gaze is dangerous, enticing even, like the Pied Piper, but instead of a magic pipe he lures women with his seductive eyes.

He said I was trouble at my condo. Truth is, I’m in trouble whenever he’s around. Worried I’ll do something reckless, worried I’ll ruin what we have, worried I’ll upset Everleigh for making a dumb mistake if I do let my guard down around Easton.

My phone chimes with a text on my way to my car. I snatch my purse from a hook near the front door. I could have asked Easton for a ride in the UTV, like he’d promised, but he seemed to want distance from me too—hence, his staying on the deck and not following me inside.

I get in my car, start the engine, and read the text. My heart drops to the seat.

Dash: I miss you. It’s killing me. I miss knowing you are always there and having you by my side. Forgive me. I’ll give you what you want. I’ll even buy us a house in a small town outside of Atlanta. As small as we can find, so I can work in the city, but you can have your dream. My dream is to have you as my wife. I noticed you haven’t canceled our upcoming vacation. Come on it with me and give me a second chance.

Shit. The phone drops from my shaking hand and falls between my thighs. Tears blur my vision. I can’t figure out why. Shock? Happiness? Surprise?

Is he for real? Does he miss me or just having me by his side at bars and out with his friends, like he likes? Why does he only see me as his wife? He’s barely around me anymore. Why did he have to send this when I was moving on? I made my choice to end it. I’d meant it. It wasn’t a manipulative effort to get him back.

Ugh. I hit the steering wheel.

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