Page 22 of The Lies I've Told
“Well, that’s great. I mean, you’ll come off as a man-whore, once again, gaining you and the brand more exposure and thus making you even wealthier and more pigheaded than you already are.”
“Mi amore,” he purred.
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “I am not your anything. We were a mistake. A dalliance. Nothing more. I don’t want anything to do with you, Lorenzo.”
“Yes, but you misinterpret my intentions, Millie,” he said, dropping the nickname as his tone hardened.
“Oh?”
“I did not call to make amends. To continue what we had would be a huge mistake. I only wanted to make sure you were aware of the press and ask, if they do try to contact you—”
I let out a frustrated huff of air. “You want to make sure I say nice things? That’s why you called. To make sure I toe the line.”
“Please Millie, don’t be difficult.”
I swallowed hard as the tears welled up in my eyes. “Oh, don’t worry, Lorenzo. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“Thank—”
I hung up before he could finish.
I didn’t want his thanks.
I didn’t want his love. Not anymore.
No, I wanted revenge, and I was going to get it if it was the last thing I did.
In the last forty-eight hours, my life had been turned upside down. Plagued with the news from James, I hadn’t been able to think about anything else.
Until I’d met her.
Millie McIntyre was a mystery to me. She came off as rude and a bit standoffish yet seemed to possess a deep, abiding love and kindness toward a family she barely saw. Coming here yesterday, I’d had no idea what was awaiting me.
But, after a few short hours, I’d begun to believe it was her.
I’d never been an overly sappy person, especially when it came to the opposite sex and I’d never put any thought into fate, but waking up next to her this morning had felt right.
More than right. It’d felt destined, like the universe had brought us both here to this very place just so we could meet.
But, when I had seen her jump out of bed, not remembering all that had occurred the night before? Everything we’d shared?
Like a giant knife sinking right into the center of my heart.
Now, I didn’t know what to believe.
Maybe fate had had nothing to do with this, and it really was what Millie believed it to be—another meaningless one-night stand.
I should know, I’d had plenty.
But nothing about Millie felt temporary or fleeting and I knew she felt the same way, if only she’d remember. I let these thoughts bounce around in my head as I greeted my fellow guests, offering freshly cooked eggs and even some bacon I’d managed to whip up.
She’s not going to sleep with you again just because you cooked a plate full of bacon in her absence.
I ignored the voice of doubt ping-ponging around in my head and focused on making sure everyone had what they needed, including me. Helping myself to a plate of food, I made small talk with those around the table. A few were fairly local, driving in from neighboring states, while others had traveled a much greater distance.
Of course, they were all interested in my place of origin.
“New York,” I answered after an older gentlemen asked.
