Page 45 of Heart Strings

The way he knows how to kiss me, how to touch me, and just when I’m about to orgasm… it’s all so unbelievably perfect. I think it’s safe to say that my best friend has ruined me for anyone else.

He kisses me when he reaches his climax just after me; his hand at the back of my head as he deepens the kiss. With a shudder through his body, he breathes out a sigh and smiles against my lips.

“Morning, Tink,” Connor murmurs, his voice rough with sleep and spent desire as he rolls off me and pulls me closer. His arm is warm around my waist, and I snuggle against him, feeling completely at peace.

“Morning,” I reply, turning to face him with a smile. “Ready to explore more of Rome today?”

“Absolutely,” he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead before we both get up to start the day.

It’s been a month since we decided to dive into this and even though everything has changed, it feels like nothing has. We still play-fight and argue like we used to, but now it ends with kisses and lingering touches.

We head downstairs to the hotel’s quaint dining area, where a spread of breakfast items awaits. Fresh fruits, various pastries, and strong Italian coffee fill the table, and we help ourselves, eager to fuel up for another day of exploring.

But as we sit enjoying our breakfast, Connor’s phone buzzes. “Ah, fuck, I have to take this, it’s Marcus,” he says, mentioning his manager. “Be right back, babe.”

He leaves after kissing my cheek and I watch him go, feeling a twinge of pride in how he balances his responsibilities, even while we’re on vacation. My heart can’t help but flutter at how he calls me ‘babe’ instead of Tink.

I lean back in my chair and start to eat, knowing I’ll need all the energy for the day ahead.

However, my peaceful morning is abruptly shattered when an unexpected person slips into the seat Connor just vacated. Her presence is like a dark cloud, and her cold smile does nothing to ease the tension.

Ava.

“Hi there, Gracie, long time no see,” she says, her voice dripping with disdain. “So I see you and Connor have finally decided to stop deluding yourselves and hurting other people in the process.”

I drop my fork and sigh. “What are you talking about, Ava?”

“Oh, you know, how everyone you two dated before were basically in a throuple with you and Connor. We never stood a chance,” she says, tilting her head to the side. “Did you know Connor was going to propose to me before he had to rush back for that stupid funeral?”

My heart stills, and her grin widens. “I bet he didn’t tell you that, did he? No, of course he wouldn’t. I found the hidden ring and everything. You know, our problems started after he came back from visiting your stupid town a few months ago.”

I stiffen, my heart pounding in my chest. “I think you should leave,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go soon,” Ava smirks, leaning back in the chair. “Oh, and I don’t wish you well, darling. I hope you end up just as miserable as I am because of him. I hope you find out how it feels to love someone with your whole heart, only to find out he never loved you the same way. That you were nothing but a pretty consolation prize who looked good on his arm.”

Her words sting, more than I want to admit, and her smirk deepens as she delivers one final blow before standing to leave. “By the way, how’s that little bookshop of yours doing?”

The question is a knife twist, given what happened to my store. But before I can formulate a response, she turns and walks away, leaving me shaking with a mix of anger and hurt.

I sit there, stunned, trying to process the venom in her words; the happy morning now feels like a distant memory, and my appetite is gone. I glance around, hoping Connor hasn’t seen this exchange, but he’s still speaking intently on his phone outside.

Connor was going to propose to Ava? I know it’s probably a lie to get under my skin, but what if everything else is true? Was I really standing in the way of Connor’s happiness with other people?

When he returns, he notices immediately that something is wrong. I can’t contain the storm of emotions Ava’s visit has stirred inside of me, no matter how much I try.

“Gracie? What’s wron—”

“I… I need a moment,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper, before rushing back to our room.

Once inside the safe confines of our hotel room, the tears that I’ve been holding back start to flow. I sink onto the bed, my heart aching with anger, sadness, and betrayal—even though Connor isn’t the one who has betrayed me.

How can one bitter person’s words ruin my entire morning like this? And her quip about my store; how did she even know that?

Chapter 34

Connor

When I return to our table and see Gracie’s expression a rush of concern floods through me. I frown, hoping to catch a glimpse of her cheerful face. But instead I can see nothing but pain in her eyes and it paints a clear picture—something is wrong.

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