Page 76 of Cougar Chronicles

But Stacy… Fuck. He liked her. He really liked her. Liked fucking her. Liked sky diving with her. Hell, he likedtalkingto her. Who’d have thought?

“Listen, Stacy, I don’t know what Dino told you—”

“He didn’t tell me anything. He didn’t have to tell me anything. I just got a clue, that’s all. I’m a smart girl. You don’t have to draw me a picture.”

“So he didn’t tell you about—”

“Hello? Are you listening? He didn’t tell me anything. He told Ronnie, and I overheard it. Now, get out. I’m not anyone’s sugar mama.”

Fuck. “God, Stace. I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

“So am I.” She lay back down. “No, I’m not. I’m glad I know. I’m glad I know who you really are. What kind of man you really are. To think, I almost…”

“Almost what?”

“Never mind. Get out, Michael.”

“Stace. Please. Can’t we talk about this?”

“Talk about what? Are you going to deny what Dino said.”

“Dino has a big mouth.”

“I’m thankful he does.”

“Yeah. Well, he’ll hear from me. But Stace, I…” Words hung on his tongue, caught between mind and voice. He wasn’t quite sure how to vocalize them.

“Good bye, Michael.”

“What about our day together? Hell, what about our night together?”

“It was a fun romp. Now, it’s over.Ciao.”

“Can’t we—”

She sat up again and reached for the phone. “No, we can’t. Now leave, or I’ll have you removed.”

Michael exhaled. He knew when he’d been beaten. He just never expected to take anything this hard. Where were these feelings coming from?

He turned, walked toward the door, and opened it. He didn’t look back.

That it took so much effort not to surprised him.

* * *

“Thanks a lot, pal.”

Dino took a swig of his beer. “Hey, Ronnie and I tried to find you. I managed to do some damage control with her, but—”

“But nothing. Why didn’t either of you go after Stacy?”

“Why would we? I mean, it’s not like—”

“Damn it, Dino, I thought we were friends.”

“Hell, Mike, you never said it was a secret.”

“You really do have a brain the size of a pea, don’t you?” Michael shook his head. “Does it take a genius to know you don’t go telling a woman’s friend what your friend has in mind for her friend?”

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