Page 31 of When I Had You

“What’s wrong?”

“My phone died.”

She grabs her phone from the charger. “You can use my charger.”

“No, it’s the phone. It’s broken.”

“How’d you break your phone?”

Some of the emotions I felt when Cash knocked it from my hand awaken. “Long story.” I rub my temple in an attempt to soothe the rising panic taking over.

“It’s going to be okay, just use mine.” She must sense my anxiety because she reaches over again to pat my shoulder. “Call him back. Do you know his number?”

Shaking my head, I lean back on the headrest. I close my eyes, wanting to wake up to a new narrative. I can’t wish it away, though. This is my reality. And now I’ve dragged Cash into it. “I don’t have his number. I don’t have anyone’s number. That was my phone’s job.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

We ride in silence for a few minutes as a million things run through my mind, everything from what Corbin is going to say to me, how he’s going to spin this to his advantage, and how mad Lauren’s going to be . . . is already. She knows every story before it breaks publicly. I’m surprised I didn’t have a barrage of messages from her this morning. Maybe she’s too busy trying to clean up this mess before dealing with me.

I finally say, “I’ve really made a mess of things, Pop.”

“Nothing that everyone won’t forget when the next story breaks.” I appreciate how calm her voice is, and in the confines of the car, maybe my world won’t come crashing down. “You know how this stuff works.”

“I do, but I’m not usually the one in the middle of the storm.”

“This storm will pass.” A comforting smile engages her face. “But since we’re in the middle of it . . . You and Cash Ryatt, huh?” She fans herself with her hand. “How hot was that?”

I laugh, just a little at first, but the release feels so good that I stop holding so tight to being upset. “He’s so frustrating, borders on rude, can be offensive—”

“Gorgeous—”

“Absurdly attractive.” I peek over at her. When her grin splits her lips apart and she laughs, I continue. “Big, making me feel small in stature but not little in presence. He listens.” My gaze drops to my lap. My fingers fidget with the hem of my shirt again as I remember the myriad of emotions he evoked.

“So how was the sex again?”

I burst out laughing again. We’ve known each other our entire lives, and there’s a reason we’re best friends. Poppy Stanfield never disappoints. “I swear, we did not have sex.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure, Pop.”

“I feel disappointed.” She looks at me quickly. “How did you not throw yourself at him? You must have the willpower of a saint.”

Memories of last night hit me.

Kissing him.

Groping his shoulders, ready to mount that man.

But when he placed that kiss on my shoulder and then wrapped his arm around me, holding me against him in bed, I’ve never felt safer or more cherished in my life. It doesn’t make sense. He barely knows me. He barely likes me. If he likes me.

Doesn’t matter.

I know he hates me now.

9

Marina

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