Page 37 of Breathless With Her

She was dressed to the nines in high-heeled wedges with her hair teased out perfectly. She looked amazing. I wouldn’t fault her for that. Iwouldhold the cheating against her, but I didn’t know her. Not really. I couldn’t hate her. But I didn’t want to be near her either.

I stood, watching to make sure Nicholas didn’t take anything that wasn’t his and then moved off to the side, trying not to stand in a defensive position. But I wanted this done. I just really wanted all of this done.

He finally put everything in the back of his SUV and slammed the hatch.

“That’s all of it.”

“Good. Have a nice life, Nicholas.”

“You know what, God help any man you get your claws into.”

My eyes widened, but I just stared at him. Who was this man?

“I was ten when we met, Nicholas. What kind of claws did I have?”

He just glared at me, and I was done. So done with this. This is why I didn’t want another man. This is why I just wanted to be by myself and figure out who I was without him. So, I just took a step back and threw my hands into the air. “You know what? Fuck it. I’m out. You got your stuff. And we’re done. Have a good life, Nicholas. You, too, Becca. I’m done.”

Nicholas started growling something else, but Becca got into the passenger side of the SUV, and I walked away. I made sure the garage door was closed and locked before locking myself in my house.

The tears fell before I even realized they were coming, and I cursed at myself. I did not want to cry over Nicholas. I had cried enough. I had growled plenty. I had done so much because of him. And because of me. Because not all of this could be on his shoulders. I had been the one to marry him. I had missed the signs. And now, I had to live with the decisions.

I went to my bathroom and wiped my face, willing myself to calm down. I was tired. And I didn’t even have time to really revel in what had happened the night before with Devin because I had to deal with Nicholas.

So much for taking time for myself, right?

As if the heavens knew that tonight would be a weird one, my phone buzzed. I looked down at the readout. Devin was calling.

Maybe I should answer. Perhaps I would do exactly what I had said I would. No emotion. No connections. Just friends. Friends with benefits. They did that in the movies. Maybe I could do that here. I wasn’t going to think about the fact that it rarely worked out on the big screen. It could work out in real life. This wasn’t fiction, after all.

I answered and smiled. Ignoring the stark look on my face in the mirror.

“Hey, I was just thinking about you.”

“Yeah?” he asked, his voice a deep growl that went straight through me. “I think I was doing the same about you. Just wanted to see how you were this morning.”

“I’m fine. Last night was amazing.” I blushed, and just shook my head. He couldn’t see me. But I had a feeling he knew that I was blushing.

“Yeah, it was. Do you want to go for a drink tonight? You said you weren’t working today, but I know you’re working tomorrow.”

“I am, but I could maybe do something a little early.” I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing. But then again, I never knew if I was doing the right thing anymore.

“I can pick you up.”

“That’d be great.” I held back a sigh, collecting my thoughts. I needed to make sure everything was out in the air. It was good to be open and honest in any type of relationship. Even in this kind.

“So, we’re still friends, right? Friends that are just doing this thing. I really have no idea what to say. I suck at this.”

Devin was silent for so long that I was afraid I had said the wrong thing. Apparently, I was really good at fucking things up today.

“I know what you mean. And, yeah, it still works for me. I’ll pick you up. Wear something hot.”

I laughed and got the rest of the details before hanging up and looking down at my phone. Okay, then. I could do this. I wasn’t going to lose myself in this. Everything could just be casual. I wouldn’t fall. And I wouldn’t get hurt. Because when I fell, I got hurt. And I refused to be that person again.

No matter the pain. No matter the cost.

Chapter 8

Devin

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