Page 70 of Romance with Mr. Bossy Pants

Garamond begins his lecture. “You were really beat up after Maddie’s passing. And that’s completely normal. But Chloe is here. You can take your time to feel sorry for yourself, but you can’t live like this forever. It’s time to move on. And, Michelle—she has a special relationship with Chloe, too. She needs someone in her corner, you know. Have you even thought about this from her perspective?”

“I’m not a child.”

“Then stop acting like one.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be chasing after Tiffany?”

“That’s rich, coming from you. Did you forget I left her the same day you claimed you felt nothing for Chloe.”

Ethan approaches me. “I get it. You feel at a loss and somewhat betrayed. But this time, you were the one in the wrong and let her go. I mean, I don’t know her, but it sounds like she really cared about you, and you messed that up.”

If only the caring part were true. If she left without that look on her face, maybe I’d be at peace. Or if she had moved on with someone else, it would’ve been hard, but maybe I could’ve come to terms with it. But realizing that I’m the reason she left, that I caused her so much pain she couldn’t stand being around me anymore? I doubt I’ll ever overcome that.

“This is torture.”

“Dad?”

We all turn at the sound of Michelle’s voice to find her standing at the bottom of the stairs.

“What’s happening? Why aren’t you at work?” Her eyes catch Ethan on the island, and she runs toward him. “Uncle Ethan! You’re here!”

Ethan picks her up and swings her around.

“Hi, Uncle Garamond!” she exclaims.

“And why aren’t you at school, little lady,” Garamond asks.

“I’m on Spring Break, remember? So, what’s going on? Why are you guys here so early?”

I rub my face. “I took a couple of days off work, that’s all.”

“You never, like never, skip work, Dad. Are you sick?”

“It’s nothing, sweetie. Want breakfast.”

Michelle squints at me, clearly not buying it, but lets it slide. “No, thanks. Can I call Chloe later? I need her help with more room stuff.”

“No,” I answer firmly.

“What do you mean no?”

“Chloe’s gone.”

“What are you talking about?”

“She quit her job,” I explain.

Michelle’s expression crumbles into one of distress. “What did you do to her, Dad?”

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Michelle presses me with a drawn out frown, but her eyes soften as she sees the pain written all over my face.

“Heyyy,” she coos, rushing over to wrap her little arms around me while her body curled into my lap. “I’m sorry, Dad. I shouldn’t have blamed you.”

It feels like my baby girl is trying to shield me from the world, and I can’t imagine anything sweeter.

I’m unable to hold back the sobs, and I think it’s mainly because of the alcohol in my system. “Chloe’s gone, Michelle,” I choke out. “I was a fool, a complete idiot, and I pushed her away.”

“Daddy, we can fix this, right?”

---