Page 32 of My Almost Ex

“So?”

I busy myself taking my silverware out of my napkin and placing the napkin on my lap. “I do love Lucy, I can’t deny that. When she left me, I was ruined. But where we stand now? I don’t know.”

“And that leaves me at the curb,” she says, her gaze moving out the front window.

“I’m not gonna lie, I came here to be straight with you. I like you, Alicia, but the only reason I was in her room at the inn was to tell her that I would help her regain her memories as best I can.”

“Great.” She exhales a big breath and falls back into her chair.

“I don’t expect you to understand or care for that part.”

“Breakfast is served!” Tad interrupts, putting a muffin with a side of fruit in front of Alicia. She doesn’t seem to notice that he gave her something extra. Tad and his damn soft heart. He sets down pancakes, an omelet, and hash browns in front of me. “Enjoy, you two.”

“I don’t understand why just because she lost her memory, it’s your problem. I mean, she left you, Adam, not the other way around. You owe her nothing.”

The venom in her voice takes me by surprise. Up until this moment, she’s always been sweet, but then again, we’ve only been dating a little while. Although I guess if she had an ex-husband I’d never heard about show up and act like they were still married, I’d be confused and hurt too. But it’s not as though I thought I’d ever see Lucy again.

So I say as gently as I can, “I’m not just doing it for her. I’m doing it for myself too. I have to find out why she left me.”

She never touches her muffin or her fruit, crossing her arms. “Why?”

I’m growing annoyed by her response. We were never serious. I mean, we never discussed being exclusive or even did anything physical together besides kissing.

“Because I just do.” My answer is weak, but it should be enough to get her off my back.

“Ridiculous. You understand all she’s going to do is use you to regain her memory, then the reason she left you will come out and you’ll be kicked to the curb—again.”

Her comments sting and I lash out before I can think better of it. “Well if you’re still there, we can start over.”

“Nice.” She narrows her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Let me clear it up.” I set down my fork and knife. “I understand what I’m chancing here. I’ve thought about it. I have no idea what’s at the end of this road, but if I don’t follow it, I’ll always regret it.”

She shakes her head and puts her napkin on the table. “Well, good luck to you.” Rising from the table, she glances around the restaurant before her gaze lands on me.

“I’m sor—”

She bends down and presses her lips to mine, her tongue sliding into my mouth. It takes me by surprise after the conversation we just had, so I’m slow on the uptake. I put my hand on her shoulder to push her away, but she breaks the kiss off first.

“Have a nice life, Adam,” she whispers. “And fuck you.”

She steps away from the table.

“Want to wrap up that muffin and fruit?” Tad asks, but I don’t hear Alicia answer.

I shake my head and pick up my silverware until the door chimes and the diner quiets. I glance over my shoulder and see Lucy walking in. Fuck me, is that why Alicia gave me that goodbye kiss? As revenge?

“Hey, Lucy, remember when I fixed your bike during the Fourth of July parade?” someone asks.

“How about when you sold me Girl Scout cookies? I was always your highest orderer,” someone says.

“Lucy, let me get you one of Brad’s muffins,” Tad offers.

“The first time you fished was on my boat, remember?” someone else asks her.

She’s polite to everyone, saying whether she does or does not remember what they’re talking about. She’s in her running gear again. I wonder when she picked up that habit. The Lucy I knew hated running.

“Hey, Adam,” she says, standing beside my table.

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