Page 53 of Beautiful Mess

“Been good,” I clip out. “Business is good, kids are great.”

“Oh, yeah.” He smiles. “You own a bakery now, don’t you?”

I nod. “Sure do. Down on Main Street.”

“Very cool. How’s your husband? What’s his name again?”

Conwayloudlyclears his throat, and I swear, I might throw up. “Ethan,” I offer. “And he’s doing well, but he isn’t my husband anymore.”

Cole’s eyes widen. “No shit? When did that happen?”

“We got a divorce a few years ago.” Glancing at Conway before coming back to Cole, I add, “I’m surprised you didn’t know that already.”

“It’s been years since I’ve been back in town, and I haven’t really kept in touch with anybody.”

I knew that much already, but I guess I just figured somebody would’ve told him. Like, maybe his dad. Although, why would he? As far as Cole is concerned, Conway and I aren’t friendly at all. Now that I think about it, I suppose it would make sense that Cole wouldn’t know anything about my life as of the last ten or so years.

“What’s brought you back to town now?” I ask, the ‘and when are you leaving?’ part implied.

Cole breathes out a laugh. “Eh, just missed Dear Old Dad.”

I don’t miss the way Conway’s jaw flexes and his nostrils flare, and it has me wondering if that’s the whole truth. I also can’t help but wonder—and worry—if having his son in town will have him pulling away. Maybe it was easy to put my history with Cole to the back of his mind because he wasn’t here, but now that he is, will Conway find our…arrangement, for lack of better terms, too weird?

Will he push me away?

The thought leaves me feeling surprisingly uneasy. Or maybe it’s just my current predicament. I’m drenched in sweat with this coat on, and my pulse races, the vein in my neck throbbing. I shouldn’t have come over here. This was a mistake. And why the heck didn’t he tell me Cole showed up?

The three of us continue to make awkward small talk, Cole telling me all about his job and life down in Charleston before Conway and I do our best to actually get some planning done for our next fundraiser, which would be humorous, since neither of us were prepared for this, if I wasn’t so uncomfortable, and the whole time, I do my best to appear interested, even though on the inside I’m fighting the urge to run out of the house. Honestly, what the hell was I thinking?Who in the real world puts on lingerie under a trench coat and shows up to a man’s house unannounced?I’ve lost my damn mind, and this is my karma for that. This was an awful idea, and I’m being punished for it. This is what I get for trying to be sexy and adventurous. Thankfully, after about twenty minutes, the doorbell rings.

Conway sits up straighter and looks at his son. “Cole, that’s the pizza. You mind grabbing it?”

“Sure. Did you already pay for it?”

“Yes, Cole,” he grits out.

As soon as he’s out of earshot, Conway shifts his gaze to me. “Why won’t you take that thing off?” he snaps.

“My coat?”

“Yes, Grace, your coat. You’re clearly not cold.”

My eyebrows pinch. “Yes, I am.”

“You’re sweating and your cheeks are flushed. What is going on?”

Glancing down the hallway to make sure Cole can’t see me, I look back at Conway as I undo the top two buttons on the trench coat and tug the material to the side, revealing the red lace underneath. Then, never taking my eyes off his, I button them again before lifting the bottom of the coat just enough to give Conway a peek of the matching red panties.

“Fuck,” Conway hisses under his breath as he drinks me in before raising his eyes to meet mine. I preen under his attention, especially as I watch his pupils dilate and throat bob on a harsh swallow. Eyebrow cocked, he drawls, “That for me?”

Pulling the coat back over my legs again, I huff out a breath. “Well, it’s certainly not for the other Levine in the house.”

Heat and something else entirely flashes in his darkened gaze. “Better fucking not be,” he mutters, low and growly. My body instantly warms, only this time it’s not from the trench coat. It’s from the possessiveness in Conway’s tone.

Maybe he won’t pull away after all.

A moment later, Cole strolls back into the living room with the pizza and some plates. I don’t have much of an appetite, but I’m able to choke down a slice. Thankfully, Conway thinks to discuss the PTA and our next fundraiser while we eat to keep up the appearance. It’s better than uncomfortable small talk with my ex-boyfriend about our lives. Surprisingly, we’re able to get a good chunk of the planning done, but after about an hour, I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to pass out from heat stroke if I don’t get home and take this goddamn coat off.Why is Conway’s house so hot anyway?

Standing up, I smooth the back of my coat. “Well, this has been…fun,” I mutter. “It was nice seeing you, Cole, but I need to get home.” Glancing at Conway, we share a private look for a moment before I add, “We can finish this up later this week, if you’re free.”

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