Page 29 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

His hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer. Kissing Brooks felt the same as it always had, but there was something different about it, reminding me how we both had changed over the years. I wanted to cling to him and allow the last five years to fade from my memory.

Diesel barked and Brooks jerked back. My heart was racing, and my mind was all over the place.

It was only a kiss. It shouldn’t mean anything, but I forgot how easily I could get wrapped up in this man.

His fingers brushed my cheek, and I quickly stepped back, needing a little breathing space. He stared at me for a moment, as if he was trying to figure me out. There was so much I wanted to say, but I didn’t even know where to begin. There was too much history between us. So much pain.

I might have been the one who ended things, but the reasons why were still there.

For a moment, I thought he would say something, but then the doorbell rang.

Brooks cursed as he strode across the room. He swung the door open, and my heart stopped.

“Well,” my father said, his hard eyes darting back and forth. “Doesn’t this look cozy?”

CHAPTER TEN

HARLOW

“Dad.” I crossed my arms, wishing I had more than a minute to prepare for this. I didn’t even have time to catch my breath. I was still reeling from that kiss.

“I heard you were back in Marcellus Falls,” he said, not even bothering with a greeting. No hello, or are you okay? Just straight to the point.

I fought the urge to fidget in front of him. “Yes, I was going to call you.”

“May I come in?”

Brooks moved aside but stood at the door, silently watching.

“I’m assuming you know why I’m here?”

I twisted my hands in front of me. “I was planning on talking to you in person.”

“Were you? Because it seems to me like you’ve been avoiding me.”

Brooks slammed the door and came over to my side. “Nice to see you too, William.”

My dad turned. The vein in his forehead pulsed. “I wish I could say the same.”

My stomach twisted. The two of them never got along, and that’s putting it mildly.

“Dad, I understand you’re upset, but leave him out of this.”

“Upset.” He turned to face me. “Upset doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel right now. You made a spectacle. You humiliated the Zimmermans. Do you have any idea what your little stunt has cost me?”

Brooks crossed his arms tightly. “Sounds like she finally came to her senses to me.”

Dad stepped forward, ignoring him. “I spent years working on that deal. That marriage was supposed to secure our partnership. That contract would have brought in millions. Now, it’s up in smoke because you couldn’t keep it together for one day.”

The deal. That was all he cared about.

Tears burned the back of my eyes. “I didn’t want to marry someone I didn’t love.”

He shook his head in disappointment. “You’re more like your mother than I ever gave you credit for. You are too soft.”

“Please don’t talk about my mother like that.” I raised my voice, letting him know I wouldn’t tolerate his petty comments. “You expected me to commit the rest of my life to a loveless marriage, all so you could get your hands on another piece of property.”

He jabbed a finger in the air. “Don’t you act like a child and talk back to me?”

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