Page 58 of One Baddie for Three Daddies

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold it together. My thoughts are a dark swirl of anger and sadness. What was I thinking, believing things could go back to how they were? That we could pick up where we left off?

I laugh bitterly. “Great job, Bia. Really nailed it this time.”

My phone buzzes again in my purse. I ignore it. I don’t have the energy to deal with anyone right now. Not even Aliyah, who’s probably checking in.

I can’t shake the image of their faces when they broke things off. The cold determination in Liam’s eyes, the reluctant agreement in Alex’s nod, and James... James just looked sad. Like he knew this was inevitable.

I should’ve seen it coming. Should’ve known better than to think we could ever make it work again.

But it wasn’t just about them, was it? It was about my mother too. Her disapproval had always loomed over us like a dark cloud. And now she’s made good on her threat from years ago.

The silence of the car is oppressive, pressing down on me from all sides. I need to move, to do something other than sit here and wallow.

With a deep breath, I start the engine and pull out of the parking lot. Driving aimlessly through San Diego’s busy streets, my mind races with what-ifs and regrets.

What if I had never ghosted them? What if I had stood up to my mom back then? Would things be different now?

But those questions are pointless. The past is done and gone.

I drive aimlessly, my mind a whirlpool of regret and anger. What the fuck, Bia? Why did you let yourself think this time would be different? Tears blur my vision, and I pull over to the side of the road, parking haphazardly. The sobs come hard and fast, each one more gut-wrenching than the last.

I wipe at my eyes, but the tears keep coming. The sting of my mother’s words and the pain of the guys breaking up with me are too much. It's like I'm suffocating under the weight of it all.

What made me think Mom would ever be okay with this? After everything back in college, her disapproval was a given. I knew that, yet here I am, hoping for some fairy tale where she suddenly accepts my choices.

“Stupid,” I whisper, hitting the steering wheel with a clenched fist. “So fucking stupid.”

The car is stifling, so I roll down the window. The cool evening air hits my face, but it does little to calm me. People walk by on the sidewalk, chatting and laughing, completely unaware of my meltdown. Their normalcy is like a slap in the face.

I lean back against the seat, closing my eyes. The tears keep falling, hot and relentless. And the tears roll down my cheeks, the thought creeps in—maybe the guys were right. Maybe things were never going to work.

I wipe my eyes, staring blankly at the traffic passing by. Was I that naive?

They probably saw this coming from a mile away. Liam’s cold determination, Alex’s reluctant nod, James’ sad eyes—they knew. They fucking knew.

25

LIAM

Istand across the street from the coffee shop, my eyes locked on Bianca through the glass window. She’s deep in conversation, finalizing plans for our hotel resort with a couple of our team members. It's been a week since the breakup, and Alex and I have dodged every meeting.

Bianca's usual confidence seems to have evaporated. Her shoulders sag, her eyes lack their usual spark. She barely smiles, and it's clear something's off. I shift my weight from one foot to the other, unable to tear my gaze away from her.

The memory crashes over me, vivid and immediate.

The yacht rocks gently, the early morning sun creeping over the horizon. I wake up, naked, with Bianca nestled in my arms. Her long box braids tickle my face, and I shiver as the cool ocean breeze cuts through the warmth of our shared body heat. Her scent, a mix of jasmine and something uniquely her, fills my senses.

Alex stirs beside us, groaning as he stretches out. His light brown hair is a mess, and he mutters something incoherent. James is on Bianca's other side, his hazel eyes still closed but a lazy smile playing on his lips. For a moment, it’s like no time has passed. The weight of the world and the years between us disappear, leaving just the four of us, tangled in each other's presence.

"Morning," Alex mumbles, rubbing his eyes. "Anyone else freezing their ass off?"

Bianca chuckles softly. "We could head inside."

"Nah," James says, his voice still thick with sleep. "This is perfect."

It’s perfect. The way we move together this morning seems effortless. As if the years apart never happened.

We stumble to our feet, gathering blankets and clothes in a chaotic dance of laughter and groans. Inside the cabin, Alex starts rummaging through the tiny kitchen.

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