Page 43 of Selfless

“Of course,” I say quickly and take a step to the side. “Make yourself comfortable. I have to finish getting ready,” I say, closing the door behind him. Before heading to my room, I go to the fridge and grab the wine out of it and then two glasses.

“Would you like a glass of wine?” I ask him.

“Yes. Please.”

I fill two glasses and then hand him his as I take a sip of mine. His eyes rake over my bare legs as he tips his glass back. “I’m gonna get ready,” I say before turning and heading to my room. Needing to take a deep breath. One that isn’t filled with the scent of him. That same one that makes my pussy wet.

I walk to my bedroom and grab my phone off my bed. I send Becca a thank you for letting me borrow a dress once again. I tried to tell her that I could wear something of my own, but she explained to me how people dress up for opening night. And I needed to dress more formal than club wear. I thought I was gonna be overdressed for the play, but now I’m thankful for her.

I toss my phone onto the bed and walk into my bathroom. I pick up the makeup brush that still has black eyeshadow on it and start to blend it into my crease. I’m starting the second eye when I hear Ryder walk into my bedroom. “You couldn’t have waited somewhere else?” I can’t help but ask. I need to be able to clear my thoughts. To try to give myself a pep talk so that way I at least make it to the play before I jump him.

I hear him sigh heavily. “Ashlyn … I’m sorry.”

Placing my hands on the countertop, I hang my head. Why are those words enough? How is it that three words can make me want to hug him? Kiss him? It shouldn’t be this easy to forgive him.

“I know I messed up,” he continues. “I just need one more chance.”

“Ryder, I …”

I hear him start screaming at the top of his lungs.

I push off the countertop and run into my bedroom to see him standing on my bed in his tux, his gorgeous face as white as a ghost. His glass of wine still in his hand, but it’s empty. “What the hell are you doing?” I yell as my heart races. He had screamed like a little girl.

He places his hand on his chest and looks at me wide-eyed. “I just saw a rat.” My eyes widen. “And I’m pretty sure it was wearing a fucking sweater,” he adds, breathing heavy.

What? “A rat? Where did it go?” I ask, looking around and not seeing anything on the floor. I’m pretty sure he’s mistaken. The occupants in this building pay millions of dollars for these apartments. I doubt they would pay that much if rats were running around.

He points at my closet. “It touched my leg,” he says in a high pitch voice. He bends down and starts dusting off his black pants as if it left germs on him.

I slowly push my closet door open all the way and flip on the light. I look around and don’t see anything but my shoes on the floor. I go to the very back where my jeans hang so low they almost touch the floor. I push them back and laugh when I see what had almost scared him to death. “Come here, Harry,” I say, picking up my cat.

“You named it?” he demands from my room.

I laugh as I pet his back over his shirt. His green eyes are wide, and his ears are back. Ryder scared the crap out of him as well. I walk back out, and Ryder takes a quick step back when he sees me holding it. “Put that down, babe,” he demands. “Those things have diseases.”

I laugh. “Ryder, this is Harry. He’s my cat.”

“Your cat?” he asks, looking at it while tilting his head. “Doesn’t look like a fucking cat to me.”

“He’s a sphynx,” I say. “A hairless cat.”

He lets out a long breath. Seeing this macho man dressed in a tuxedo standing on my bed like a scared child makes me laugh. “And you named him Harry?”

I nod with a smile. “And he is wearing a sweater.” I look down and read it: This pussy is loved. I guess I can see where he thinks he was a rat. He’s still a kitten and very small.

He nods his head. “Well.” He straightens his black bow tie trying to act unaffected now. “He looked like a rat when he ran into the closet. I’ve been in your apartment multiple times. Why am I just now seeing him?”

“Bradley brought him here. I had to leave him behind because he had an appointment with the vet to get fixed.” Just saying Bradley’s name has changed the mood in the room. The air is thicker, and my heart feels heavy for the friend I lost and the guy who came between us.

Without another word, I turn and walk back into my bathroom, taking Harry with me.

**

An hour later, I’m standing back in my extremely large closet looking at myself in the full-length mirror. My blond hair is teased at the crown. I’ve pulled it to the right where it lay over my shoulder and pinned the big curls in place. I’ve put more makeup on than I normally wear on any given workday but as much as you wear for evening. My eyes are more of a neutral color with a touch of black in the crease. I went with winged eyeliner and natural blush. Topped off with black mascara and a dark red lipstick. It’s not a look I’ve done often, but I find that I like it.

I turn to the right and unzip the garment bag hanging on the rack. I pull the dress out that Becca let me borrow and slowly start to put it on, sliding one leg in at a time. I bring it up over my hips and stomach and gently slide one arm in, being careful not to rip it. There’s no way I would be able to put this on over my head and not mess up my hair or makeup. I bend down and place one heel on at a time.

I turn and look at myself in the mirror one last time and take a deep breath. I have to come out of this room sooner or later. I’ve kept him waiting long enough. I take one more drink from my wine glass, finishing off my third glass.

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