Page 97 of Dirty Temptation

The following Wednesday arrives and it’s almost three in the afternoon when the courier shows up. I hate that I was chomping at the bit all day waiting for him.

I take the box, close the door, and smile like a fool. Inside are twelve yellow roses.

The note readsI miss you so damn much my heart aches. I am not saying the words until you are ready. But I’ll wait forever if I have to. A xx

“Oh god.” I clutch the note to my chest and let the tears roll down my chest.

It’s been more than two weeks since I’ve seen Atlas, and I miss him too. More than miss him.

I need to see him.

It’s taken all my willpower not to call him or message to say thank you. That I want to see him.

To just hear his voice.

But I don’t know what I’d say.

I’m scared.

I put the yellow roses in the new vase I bought myself on Monday and discard the dying flowers. Then I take out a single yellow one and put it in the small glass vase I have beside my bed.

So silly, but it feels like Atlas is with me in there when I sleep.

It’s two weeks until Christmas and I wonder what his plans are. Is he going away? Is he working?

Is he happy he won the CFD Award?

I saw it announced on social media last week and nearly messaged him.

But I didn’t, even though I wanted to tell him how amazing it was.

Payton and I talked, and she’s forgiven me for disappearing from her wedding. I told her the entire story about Steve, and she cried.

“What an ass. What a loser. No offense.”

“No offense, but it is a reflection of me though.” I shrug. “I chose him.”

“Molly! You can’t blame yourself. People don’t normally go around having two lives. He’s the asshole who lied to you and your entire family. This is on him.”

She’s only partly right.

I should have insisted I meet Steve’s friends and family and dug a little deeper before agreeing to marry him.

Why did he propose at all?

I’ve never had closure. I’ve never understood why he did what he did. Perhaps I never will.

But I need to try. I need that closure so I can move on.

I’m just terrified.

“Will you come with me when I go see him?” I ask her after telling her my idea.

“Molly, I don’t think that’s a good idea. He’s possibly a psychopath.” She freaked.

“Maybe. But we’ll do it in public. He can’t hurt me any more than he has.”

“If you need to do this, yes. After our honeymoon.” She promised. “I’ll have to tell Knox though. I can’t lie to him.”

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