Page 144 of Forgot to Tell You Something

This is definitelynotgoing as smoothly as I hoped. “Not exactly. I know that they’re friends, but I wondered if he’d made a move on Tally.”

Stefani stretches to her full height, only a few inches shorter than me. “First, Dan and Lu are just friends. Period. They’ve been friends for years. Second, Dan has been keeping Lu company because her life has been crap the last few weeks. Third, and most important, Lu is pregnant”—she pokes me in the chest with her finger—“withyourbaby. So perhaps the strain in your relationship is less about Dan and more about how busy you’ve been entertaining yourex-fiancée.”

Tell me how you really feel, Stefani.

I do appreciate her candor. Now at least I know that Dan isn’t a threat, and my girl hasn’t moved on.

Yet.

I run a hand over my scalp, shooting Stefani a rueful glance. “You’re right. This training center and business with Charlotte has hijacked all my free time. But I allowed it. I was the asshole who let her get away with it, while Tally paid the price.”

Stefani fiddles with her keys, and I’m uncertain I want to hear what more she has to say. “Owen, is this some battle of wills? Lu is my best friend, and she deserves to be treated with care and courtesy.”

“I agree—”

“That’s the trouble,” Stefani cuts me off, raising her hand when I open my mouth to retort. “You say that, but look at the situation. How would you feel if the roles were reversed, and Lu was hanging out with an old flame several nights per week? An old flame that wanted her back?”

I have to hand it to Stefani; she has a way of cutting to the quick. “I would have mopped the floor with his ass by now, set him straight.”

“Exactly. I know this situation is different, with the success of the training center contingent on your participation, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that Lu’s heart is hurting. And you did it.” Finally, she raises her gaze to meet mine. “I really hoped you would be different. You seemed different.”

“Iamdifferent. I have a ring for Tally, remember?”

She taps my chest with her key, narrowing her gaze. “Then might I suggest you treat her like the woman you love, and less like the woman who you think will be waiting when your business with Charlotte is finished? I have to go.Danand I have a date.” Another pointed glance.

Message received. I’m way the hell off.

I open Stefani’s door, forcing a smile. “Have a good time. You two make a good couple.”

“Owen, you and Lu were relationship goals. Seriously. I’ve never seen two people so intoxicated with one another. But she will not be sloppy seconds, even for a man like you.” She slides the car into reverse, pausing with her hand on the shifter. “To be fair, she really is busy. Packing up her apartment and discovering she’s pregnant has usurped most of the real estate in her brain these last few weeks.”

“Moving?” As I eke out the syllables, my heart sinks. Is Tally making good on her threat to relocate?

“She lost the lease on her apartment. The landlord needs the space for her grandson, so Lu is packing and trying to be out by this weekend. I’m going to help her tomorrow.”

“No need. I’ll hire movers.” I offer a wave goodbye before making a beeline for my car.

My destination?

Tally’s soon to be former apartment, and if my girl is lifting heavy boxes, I’m spanking every inch of her sweet ass.

* * *

Ipush open the door, my ire growing as I watch Tally fumble to hoist a box above her head.

“If you don’t put that box down—” I order, marching across the room and grabbing it from her hands.

“Owen, what are you doing here?”

“These are your plans? Packing? Why didn’t you ask me for help?”

Tally lifts herself to her full height, more than a foot below me, and I can’t help but smile at the size difference between her and Stefani. “Maybe I don’t need your help.”

“Maybe it’s not up for debate.”

She throws up her hands, flopping onto the couch with a pout that I’m tempted to suck off her lips. “You can’t just walk in here and order me around.”

I bite back a grin. Tally may be ready for battle, but this time, I’ve got my armor on, too. She’s not winning this fight. “Yes, I can.” I punch in a number on my phone, my gaze resting on her perturbed expression.

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