Page 169 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 9
"I'm sorry that I tried helping you make things happen with him. I should have known he'd screw it up."
I laughed. "He didn't screw anything up. He told me all he wanted was a one night stand. And when it became more than that, we never talked about what we were. There's no reason why he shouldn't be out screwing someone else right now."
"There is a reason. You."
I could feel my tears welling in my eyes again. "Me? That doesn't seem to be enough, does it? I'm never enough for anyone." I thought about my past three boyfriends breaking up with me. No one ever wanted me back.
"For the record, I would never do that to you." He reached out and put his hand on top of mine. "You deserve better."
"Better than your best friend?"
"I love him to death, but he's clearly an asshole."
I laughed.
Connor rubbed his thumb along my palm.
Suddenly the reason why Connor had run after me was apparent. And it hurt me that I was about to hurt him. "I'm in love with Rory," I whispered.
Connor immediately removed his hand. "What?"
"I am." I shook my head. "I was. I thought I was?" I took a deep breath. "I am. But it doesn't matter now." I put my hands in my lap.
Connor looked like he was in pain again as he searched my face. "I didn't realize. Honestly, I was still hoping I had a chance." He gave me a small smile.
"Maybe you can call me in a few months." I wanted to believe that I'd be over Rory by then. I wasn't sure I'd ever be, though.
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I really want to take you up on that offer. And I hope I don't look back on this and realize it was the biggest mistake of my life. Because I think you're absolutely amazing. You're beautiful and funny and smart. And you get along with my friends. A little too well." He smiled. "But I think you should give Rory one more chance."
"It's not that I'm not willing to give him another chance. It's that I know he doesn't want to be with me. He's made that perfectly clear. Over and over again. So what's the point?"
"You know, I never actually got to cash in on that favor you owe me."
"Are you sure you don't want me to just sleep with you?"
He laughed. "Yeah, I'd certainly like that more. But I'm going to ask you to give my best friend the benefit of the doubt. Like I said, maybe I misunderstood what Rory said he was doing tonight. Besides, aren't you two going to a wedding tomorrow?"
"We were supposed to."
"So go. Weddings are romantic. Just give him one last chance to make the right choice."
"I'm not sure I'm what he wants."
"You are. I know him better than anyone. He's been screwing around waiting for someone like you."
"I don't understand why you keep trying to help me."
"Because you're my friend and so is Rory. I want you to both be happy."
"You're the sweetest guy..."
"Yeah, don't say anything else. Because you'll make me change my mind about the favor you owe me. And I don't think the owners of this place would be happy when I started fucking you on this table."
I swallowed hard.
"I see that I've still got it." He winked at me. "Let me walk you home." He lifted up the crumpled up letter to Rory. "What is this?"
I had completely ruined it with tear stains. I'd have to print out another one anyway. If we ever even got to that discussion. Right now I just needed to see how our date went without any extra problems. "I don't need it anymore. It's just trash."
