Page 49 of Wanted Beta

Must have shrunk it in the wash or something.

The material’s stretchy, but I don’t feel like having to keep pulling the hem down over my stomach all night. Especially, after I’ve eaten pizza.

Nope to that option.

What’s next?

Oh … I forgot I owned this one.

It’s black with a hot pink trim, and it has a low neckline.

I have pink jeans that match perfectly. I find those and put them on the bed.

The other stuff, I’m about to leave sitting on the end of the bed, when I remember Catherine telling me I had to keep things tidy.

Leaving stuff lying around is the opposite of that.

I hang the other shirts back up, and I close the closet again.

When I try the outfit on, I’m pleased enough to keep it on.

I bring my purse through to the living room with me and I check the front pocket, making sure my key is still there, safe and sound. I’m all set for dinner … but it’s a little early.

As much as I loved that pizza last night, it hasn’t been that long since I had lunch.

I’ve got a couple of hours to waste, I guess.

Letting out a sigh, I curl back up on the couch and start flipping channels again.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Rourke

Now’s my chance if I want it .

I watch Catherine exit the apartment block and move quickly down the street. She’s all dressed up and wearing enough perfume that I get a lungful of lavender as she passes me by. I turn away to cough and to get a few breaths of fresher air before I glance back at Beth’s sister as she weaves her way down the street. Looks like she’s headed out on a date.

That means Beth is on her own tonight.

I have no doubt she’s safe in her sister’s apartment.

It would be seriously weird to go knock on the door.

It’s been more than a year since we broke up, and it’s fucking creepy that I know where her sister lives and that she’s living with her now, too.

My guts twist as I start to pace around across from her apartment block.

Everything inside me wants to go to her.

Deep down, I want to spill my guts and beg forgiveness. I need her to forgive me so we can be together again, this time forever, the way it was always meant to be.

Only one thing stops me from rushing into that building.

I did what I had to do to protect her, and the moment I made that choice, I knew everything had changed. What I want doesn’t matter.

So, I don’t care how tempted I am.

I won’t act on my feelings.

---