Page 88 of Last Love

“Yeah.” Despite the fuck show of this morning and what is to come of it, it’s the truth. “I am. I really am.”

“Were you unhappy with me?”

His question tempts me into reaching for the tequila infused beverage as opposed to answering. “Yes.”

He slowly nods, although it’s crystal clear the information hurts.

“Look, I know everything between us ended very abruptly-”

“Putting it mildly,” Xander teasingly states. “One minute I’m proposing and the next morning I’m waking up alone unsure of what I did wrong.”

“It wasn’t what you did wrong.”

The correction quirks an eyebrow.

“It’s what I realized was wrong between us.”

Another slow nod is given as he lifts his drink. “Yes, I am starting to see some of those things.”

“We were wrong for each other romantically, but maybe we can be right for each other platonically?”

“Friends.”

“I was really trying to keep a good rhythm there, sir.” My playfulness prompts laughter from both of us. “I’m not saying let’s be besties and take trips to The Bahamas together-”

“You know I hate that they have swimming pigs.”

“Uh-huh,” the grin I grow is good-natured, “which is something I adore.”

His face twitches disgust.

“Why don’t we start at the beginning?” Spotting the waitress coming our direction, I suggest, “Why don’t we order some food and try getting to really know one another like we didn’t before? Spend time just…,” my shoulders innocently shrug, “chatting and bullshitting?”

Xander offers me a kind smile. “I’d like that.”

“Me too.”

And maybe a little more space from the other major issue I need to face will provide me with clarity on how to handle it.

At the very least, I’ll be pre-stuffed with plenty of tortillas to help keep me calm in what very well may be the end of my love life.

Again.

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