Page 23 of Last Chance Seduction
“But I think you have to agree with me that this just isn’t working.”
“What’s not working?”I asked, my heart racing.Oh, why did it feel like she had her hand around it right now, squeezing ever so slightly so the blood vessels began to pop one by one?
“I don’t want to say it’s not you, it’s me.But honestly, the phrase is useful.I just don’t think we click.”
“Gia, we’ve been together for two years.We live together.”Why the hell was I even trying?I saw that look in her eyes.I knew it.She was done.Already moved on.And just…just nothere.
“I know, and I’ll totally keep paying my rent on the lease, but Lex, do you really see us with a future?You’re a nice guy.You’re a great boyfriend.But I want ahusband.”
My hand curled around the box in my pants pocket, the box I had hidden for months because I hadn’t wanted to overshadow Justin and Mercy’s wedding.
Because I was ready.I was ready for the next step.
And as acid coated my tongue, she continued to talk, but I just finally let go, knowing it was all for rote.
The first raindrop fell, hitting me in the face, and I didn’t blink it away.
“I’ll come pick up my stuff soon.But I hope we can be friends?I mean, you’re a great guy, Lex.But I just don’t see myself marrying you.And I want forever.I know I’ll find it.But it won’t be with you.You’re just not it.I hope you understand that.”
I watched her walk away, not a single word uttered.What more was there to say?I had never been more wrong in a situation, but then again, I had been.I’d been wrong about Justin, now it seems like I was wrong once again.
Rain began to fall in earnest, and I turned on my heel and made my way back to my car.
I thought Gia was the one for me.I thought she was my forever.It turns out I wasn’t good enough.
And I wasn’t going to be anyone’s forever.
Thunder cracked, and I slid my face up to the sky, and let the rain slid down my face, doing what it did best—wash away the rest of the world.Or at least the problems I wanted to pretend I didn’t have.
When my phone buzzed again, I looked down at the text.
Mercy:
I’m sorry to have to do this, but Emily and I need to head to New York.We got into the specialist that we needed.Can you handle the list we went through?I know it’s too much but I just…I can’t do it right now.
I finally got in my car and answered back.Because of course I would help.
The twins needed me.Just like my family did.
I was good at being there for them.It turns out I wasn’t good at much else.
Today
“Are you really not going to let me work on your gardens?”
I looked up as Brooklyn got out of her truck and came towards me.I rolled my eyes at my cousin, shovel in hand.“I’m literally just digging right now.You are the one who gets to plan my front gardens.Don’t worry.I’m not taking that from you.Although, that does seem like a bit of a downside for you, doesn’t it?”
“Not really.I love working with gardens.Mom and Dad let me take over occasionally.”She looked down at the hole I was currently working on and clucked her tongue.“What are you trying to bury here?”
“It’s just an issue I need to deal with, I swear it’s not for a body.”I paused.“Okay I said that far too quickly.However, I will need your help soon.Again, not a body.”She smirked.“I do plan on adding a couple of trees in the back.Mostly because we had dry rot with one of the originals, and then the previous owners had planted another tree so close to the foundation there was going to be issues.”
“Poor tree.”
“Both of them were already dying, well, which sucks.”
“Tell me about it.Well, I’m here to make plans.Even if you hadn’t let me in the first place, I was taking over.”
“That sounds like the cousin I know and love,” I teased.“But why are you really here?”
