Page 47 of The Fun Part
“I was wrong.”
“No, you weren’t. It’s better that we both move on.” I clear my throat, about to attempt amends in foreign emotional territory. “I, uh, should’ve been more honest with you about the way I was feeling after you moved in. I was in over my head. We were in different places, and I’m sorry for any hurt I caused you.”
She crumples into tears and leans into my shoulder. I hold her, feeling bad about her tears while at the same time wanting to leave. This was our relationship in a nutshell.
After a few minutes, Rayna lifts her head and tries to kiss me. I shift away in time.
She wipes her eyes. “It’s really over?”
“Yes.”
She sniffles. “Your stuff is in the closet.” She leaves, shutting the door behind her.
I go to the closet and pull out a box with several books, along with mementos she must’ve saved from our relationship. A dried rose, a cocktail napkin, concert ticket stubs, a birthday card, and my old jersey. I’m glad to get my jersey back. She liked to sleep in it. I don’t have the equivalent box of relationship stuff to give her. I guess I wasn’t sentimental about our time together. Is this what she meant when she complained I was closed off, or was it that I never liked to talk about deep emotional stuff? How can you talk about something you no longer feel?
When I step out of the room with my box, she says, “Cal, I thought you should know my therapist says you need therapy. If you never open your heart, you’ll never be happy.”
“How’s that working out for you?”
Her face crumples. I take a step toward her, instantly regretting the words, and she holds up her palms. Dammit. I always end up saying the wrong thing when someone gets emotional.
“Rayna, I’m sorry. I’m not cut out for relationships. I hope you find a man you deserve. Not that couch-surfer guy. Someone who appreciates you.”
She throws her hands in the air. “You say things like that right after stomping on my feelings, showing a glimmer of boyfriend potential. This is why you drive me crazy!”
“Okay.”
She goes into the bedroom and slams the door.
I let out a breath of relief and walk toward the front door. The bedroom door opens again, and she yells, “I hope you’re happy in your new place because I’m very happy!”
I’m not unhappy. But I don’t say that. I don’t say anything at all. Her ever-changing moods aren’t my problem anymore.
Mackenzie
An eternity and two mojitos later, I’m bouncing along in time to the music when Harper grabs my arm. “Come on, Shayla’s here.”
I follow her upstairs, as does the muscular guy barely wearing a shirt she latched onto, Felipe. Girls’ night plus one. Honestly, I wasn’t exactly eager to meet someone new. It’s better this way. Focus on work. I’m not even sure I want to fake date anymore. Men are exhausting.
The private upstairs space has a sleek vibe with leather sofas and chairs, cool sconces, its own bar, and a view of the dance floor. I immediately spot Shayla’s beaming smile as she approaches. Her long blonde hair is dyed red for her new role. It suits her. Two hulking bodyguards stand a short distance away.
Oh, look! She brought some unexpected guests sitting at a table in the back—my business partners, Owen and Nathan. Otherwise known as Shayla’s husband/Harper’s big brother (Owen) and Harper’s sworn enemy (Nathan). Our old roommate Olivia’s here too!
“Shayla!” I throw my arms around her. “It’s been too long.”
“I know, I know!”
I pull back to smile at her. “Working nonstop. I forgive you.”
Olivia, a no-nonsense brunette, approaches wearing a loose navy dress with her signature black steel-toed boots. She’s Shayla’s assistant for now. She went to film school and has big goals. I swear she’ll run Hollywood one day. “How’s it going?” Olivia says. “Keeping busy?”
I give her a hug. “Yes. Not as busy as you, I’m sure.”
Shayla throws an arm around Olivia’s shoulders. “Olivia’s helping me start my own production company. She’s going to be my producer.”
I smile. “Wow. Congrats to you both.”
Harper walks over from the back table, her expression tight. Felipe waits a short distance away. “Shay, what are Owen and Nathan doing here on our girls’ night?”
