Page 46 of Those Heartbreak Scars

“Look at it,” he orders. “I don’t mind. She’s your best friend. It could be important.”

I bite my lip as I peel the screen away from my chest and open her text. It’s a selfie of her and Theo. The biggest, cheesiest smiles stretch across both their faces as they stand in front of what looks like a batting cage only with a wooden target on the back wall.

Indy: Awesome double date idea for when you finally introduce us to your HE. That way I can pull out the old if you hurt my friend line…

“Double date?” Gray snorts and there’s no humor in it. His palms flatten on the leather seat. “So you’ve already told her about Everett.”

“No.” But she did send me that image of the two of us outside Bambino’s. “Yes. A little. That’s not the point. She knows there’s someone else.”

“You’ve told her about me?”

“She noticed the hickey you left on my neck. I had to tell her something. She doesn’t know it’s you. She only knows there’s someone.”

“And that’s why she’s planning a double date. Me and that prick in the same room… you know that’s never going to happen without me giving him a black eye. And Indy…”

The euphoria from my orgasm evaporates. He hates her because he’s still in love with her. And he hates Theo because he’s the one who Indy chose.

I’m the one allowing myself to pretend that Gray and I could be more. That he could have feelings for me instead of my best friend. I ease off him, surreptitiously adjust my underwear and smooth my dress. “I know. I—”

“You should tell her that you’ll bring Everett.” His expression is devoid of emotion as he discreetly fixes his pants. “He’s dying to move you back home.”

I already told him that I wasn’t planning on seeing Everett anymore. I thought that was what he wanted too. “But I—”

“What are you hoping to find here with me?” He straightens and snatches up his beer. It spills over his fingers as he lifts it to his lips and swallows. “I warned you—”

“How long are you going to hold onto her?” I toss my phone in my purse.

“I’m clearly not holding onto her at all.” He slams the glass down. “She’s with him.”

“I know that. I’m the one who was riding your cock just now. In public,” I hiss at him. “I’m the one willing to settle for my best friend’s scraps. I’m such an idiot.”

“America.”

I stand. “I need to go before I say something I’ll regret.”

“America.” He leaps to his feet. “I told you how it was. I can’t just switch my feelings for her on and off. I wish I could.”

“I’m not asking you to. I don’t expect that. I thought I could do this.” I shake my head. “But I think I’m fooling myself.”

My eyes prickle with emotion by the time I make it to the exit, but like hell will I let my feelings get the best of me when I’ve kept them under lock and key for so long.

He grabs my arm as I reach the pavement. Hauls my back to his chest. “I’m sorry, Rica. I’m so sorry.”

“So am I.” I tug my arm free.

“I’ve been thinking of her less and less since Positano. The more time I spend with you the less it hurts in here.” He grabs my hand before I can walk away and places it over his heart. “That has to mean something, doesn’t it?”

My heart skips a beat.

“I don’t want you with Everett. Thinking about him touching you makes me want to punch him.” He brings me back to his chest. His hand settles on my nape. His voice is full of emotion. “Thinking about touching you has me obsessed. Can that be enough for you, Rica?”

Right now it’s enough. My heart won’t let it not be.

I lift up on tiptoes and press my lips to his. “It’s enough.”

“Come back to the hotel with me,” he says when we break apart.

“Okay.” I smile.

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