Page 43 of Happy Endings

Andre opened his mouth and closed it. She felt a twinge of guilt for her harsh words.

“We can’t do this again.”

“I’m not in the habit of one-night stands.” He gripped the back of the chair. “I thought we were starting over.”

“I meant starting over as friends. Not—” She waved a hand between them.

“Fuck, Trixie, I’m not asking you to marry me. Let’s give us another try.”

“There can’t be an ‘us.’ I thought we were just having fun. But this—us—any relationship would be a distraction from my goals. I have to focus on myself and my boutique.”

She reached out for his hand, but he pulled it away.

“I can tell you still care about me, Trixie. Life is too short to throw away what we have. Had.” He held her gaze until she looked away. “We owe it to ourselves to try.”

“Since I left New Orleans, I’ve been working my ass off to be financially independent.”

“You’re very successful and good at your job.” His eyes were sincere.

“But it’s still a job, Andre. I’m working for someone else. Building another person’s dream. I want to be an entrepreneur.”

“It’s not as easy as you think,” he scoffed. “Overseeing Mama Hazel’s may look glamorous on the outside, but I’m putting in sixteen-hour days. Don’t forget about paperwork and bills afterdealing with customers during the dinner rush. Working for the man might be less stressful.”

“I want to find out for myself. I’m so close to winning this contest, I can taste it. For the first time in my life, I’m good at something. Something that I want for myself. Not something that my parents or someone else chose for me.” Her voice trembled as passion filled it.

“So you’re saying that I don’t fit anywhere into your life plan?”

Trixie’s mouth opened then closed. He really thought that sleeping together one time meant they would get back together.

ANDRE GRABBED HERhand and pulled her to him. He kissed her. Pressed upon her lips the words he couldn’t say out loud. That having her back in his life gave him a glimmer of the happiness he’d had before his mother got sick. A kiss to apologize for leaving her alone and ghosting her. To show her they could make them work the second time.

She returned his kiss, arms wrapping around his neck. Their tongues danced together. She shuddered against his body.

Trixie pulled away, panting. Her eyes were glazed, and her mouth was swollen from their kiss.

“You want this as much as I do. You want us.”

“Not fair.” Her voice was thick with lust. “We’ve always been good in bed together.”

“What if I don’t want a relationship with you?” Andre didn’t know what he was saying until it was too late. “What if we have some fun, no strings attached?”

“Are you sure that’s enough for you?” Confusion covered her face.

“I’m sure.” If that was the only way he could have her back in his life, so be it. “I’ve never forgotten you, Trixie Nguyen.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” But she half smiled as she said it.

“Doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying.” He smiled back, glad that she was no longer trying to bolt out of the restaurant. Maybe even out of his life. Though he certainly deserved it if she wanted to.

“Okay,” she said so quietly he almost missed it.

“Okay, I can keep complimenting you? Or we can keep seeing each other?” He knew she meant the latter, but he needed to hear her say it. They were starting over, and he wanted them to communicate clearly with each other.

“Both.”

He pumped his fist in the air. Embarrassed, he shoved his hand into his pocket. She stopped him and held his hand.

“Let’s set some ground rules.”

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