Page 5 of My Ex's Father

Chapter 3

Amber

I wake up with a smile on my face. It takes me a few seconds to remember why I’m feeling so incredibly happy, and then last night’s events come rushing back to me. Suddenly, I feel wide awake. I sit up in bed and grab my phone, hoping to see a message from Connor. Disappointment stabs at my insides when the only notification on my screen is from Facebook, letting me know that Alex Blake is engaged to Meghan Kennedy. Strangely, I don’t feel the need to stalk her profile. I don’t even care anymore about what Alex does, or whom he marries. I only care about Connor. I really hope he’s going to text me soon. Of course, I could message him myself, since he gave me his number on the drive home last night. But I don’t want to seem too eager. I climb out of bed and into the shower, mentally reliving our evening together. It was perfect. Now he just needs to call me.

As I wrap a towel around myself, my phone buzzes. I reach for it, my heart hammering painfully in my chest.

I enjoyed myself last night, but we can’t see each other again. My loyalties lie with my son. I’m sorry.

My mouth feels dry and my breath comes in short, painful gulps. My thumb hovers over my phone. Should I text him back? I run a hand through my wet hair. With shaking fingers, I type an answer and hit send.

I understand. I enjoyed myself too.

At least now he won’t know how much it hurts. And I can still cling to the last little bit of my pride. I knew it was too good to be true. Moisture pools in my eyes and I furiously blink it away. I’m not going to shed another tear because of a Blake man. Not for the father, and certainly not for the son. I lock away my sadness into a tiny corner of my heart. What I’m left with is emptiness. But it’s better than pain. Mechanically I brush my teeth and get dressed. It’s a little early to leave for work, but I go anyway. I need to stay busy. It makes it easier to push the sadness away.

Time moves differently when your heart is broken. Sometimes, it flies by. Other times, minutes can feel like hours. When I start my shift, there aren’t many customers. So I spend my time straightening the wine bottles and wiping away nonexistent dust, needing to stay busy. Finally, it’s lunchtime, and I’ve never been more grateful for the swarm of office workers that descend on the bistro. As long as I don’t sit still, as long as I’m not alone, I don’t have to face my heartbreak. It’s ridiculous, really. I just met the guy. But it seemed different. He seemed different. I thought we had a real connection, thought that I’d finally found someone with whom, just maybe, I could have a real relationship.

My shift ends too soon. I linger, not wanting to leave.

“Amber, what are you still doing here?“ My boss sounds annoyed. I wonder if she’s mad that I left early yesterday. Probably. Then again, Ashley always sounds angry.

“Oh, I thought I’d stay and help out a little.“

She raises an eyebrow and looks pointedly toward the half-empty dining room. “As you can see, we don’t need you. Plus, I’m surprised you’d want to keep your suitor waiting.“

“My suitor?“ My voice sounds hoarse. She’s talking about Connor, she has to be. And he’s the last thing I want to think about.

Her eyebrow almost disappears in her hairline. “He’s waiting outside.“

I turn and my pulse quickens. She’s right. There’s Connor, standing outside the entrance. What on earth is he doing here? And he’s smiling at me as if nothing’s wrong. Ashley gives me a little push. “Off with you, Amber.“ She actually winks at me. It’s rare enough to see her smile, but a wink? I stand up straighter as I make my way outside. I have absolutely no idea how I’m supposed to act around him.

***

Connor

Something is wrong. Amber smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. And when I lean in to kiss her on the cheek, she stiffens under my touch. I retreat, my brow furrowing. “What’s wrong, princess?“

Yesterday, the pet name made her glow with pleasure. Now, it makes her flinch. She keeps her gaze fixed on her worn-out sneakers. “Amber. Look at me.“

My voice is commanding now, and she obeys instinctively. Her wide, expressive eyes are on mine, making my pulse quicken. “Tell me what’s wrong.“

She lets out a snort. The sound seems so unlike her, a smile tugs at my lips. But the spark of fury in her eyes makes me compose my features.

“As if you don’t know.“ Her tone is icy.

What is she talking about? Maybe I was too forward last night, maybe I shouldn’t have moved so fast. It’s just that I can’t think straight when she’s near me. “I apologize if I’ve offended you. Believe me, the only thing I want is to make you happy.“

She laughs, but it’s not a happy sound. “That’s going to be difficult, considering you won’t be seeing me anymore. What are you doing here?“

Something must have happened. I step closer to her and put my hands on her shoulders. “Please tell me what’s wrong, princess.“ For a second I think she’s going to push me away, but then her shoulders sag. She reaches into her handbag and fishes out her phone.

“This is what’s wrong.“ She shows me her screen. I read the message once, then a second time. At first, I’m confused. Then I dig my nails into the palm of my hands. “I didn’t write this.“ My voice is hoarse with anger.

“What?“ Her forehead crinkles in confusion.

“I couldn’t find my phone. That’s why I didn’t contact you today, and it’s why I came here, hoping to find you.“

“But if you didn’t write it…“ She trails off, her mouth forming a perfect O. Despite my anger, it takes all my self-control not to press my mouth against her soft lips. I give my head a shake, trying to clear it. “Alex,“ I say. “It must have been Alex.“

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