Page 92 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

So I switched my phone off, checked in at a nearby hotel, and...well...

It's morning now, and everything I did was clearly a complete waste since I've woken up with my heart back in my throat, and I'm more terrified than ever.

I think I'm falling in love with you, Serafina Edison.

Aidan's words come out of nowhere, and hearing them play back in my mind makes me curl my body into a ball with a groan.

This is so not good, Raffi.

I flip to my back and stare up sightlessly at the ceiling.

I think I'm falling in love with you, Serafina Edison.

I just can't believe he's said that. Doesn't he realize how insane that sounds? And is he actually expecting me to say them back? He's only known me for days.Days,dammit. He can't possibly think I believe he means them.

Right?

My brain tells me things are too good to be true while my heart...well...maybe it has something to say, too, but it's in too much of a mess right now to be coherent.

I just don't know anything anymore, and I'm not even sure I want to know.

All I'm sure of at this point is there's another man I definitely donotlove, and it's time I made that clear.

JACK ARRIVES AT OURmeeting place thirty minutes late. I wish I can say I'm surprised, but I'm not. He's one of those people who still believes it's unfashionable to be prompt, and there's nothing he loves more than being the center of attention...like now.

The other girls in the cafe are clearly into him, and the way this makes Jack practically preen and strut like a peacock makes me want to smack myself on the head. Two years I've dated this guy.Two years!I must've been so lost and low in self-esteem to have thought that being with someone like Jack was the sensible thing to do, and well...

Better late than never, Raffi.

Aidan or no Aidan, I know I'll never get back together with this S.O.B., but because I'd also rather we end things amicably, I quickly rise to my feet as he reaches my table and paste a smile on my face. "Hello, Jack."

"Hello, darling." He moves forward to kiss me on the cheek, and I force myself to stay still and take it.

We take our seats, and Jack asks if I've ordered already.

I clear my throat, knowing that this might be my only chance to keep things from getting ugly. "Actually..."

Jack shakes his head. "If you're going to apologize—-"

My brows shoot up.

"It isn't necessary. I admit to being angry and offended, but I'm willing to forgive you—-"

I place the engagement ring he's given me on the table, and Jack shuts up.

"I'm sorry," I say awkwardly. "I just don't think—-"

"You bitch."

The words make me start, but it's more out of shock than fear or anger, and...

"You fucking bitch."

He apparently isn't done.

Jack spews out expletives in the next ten minutes, and I simply sit there and stare at him. The more insults he hurls my way, the clearer everything is, and oh God, I can't believe how stupid I've been.

Aidan was right all along.

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