Page 34 of The Rich One

Wish for me, River.

What if my word is just a synonym for Kai? What if he’s my clarity? It would make sense.

“Kai.” I say so much in that one word.

“Did you wish for me?” Opening my eyes, I’m met with liquid honey. The gold swirling with an intensity that makes my pussy clench, my body tremble with the need for him.

“I—”

My phone pings with an incoming message, shaking on the counter. We both look over to the lit-up screen and my clarity disappears in a puff of regret.

Tyler’s name is flashing with an incoming call. Refusing him now is not a good idea. The man does not like to be ignored and it’s in my contract that unless it’s life threatening, I’m to answer his call… always.

“Don’t. Ignore him, River. Don’t answer.” I was wrong. The moon didn’t give me shit, but the fire may very well be consuming for a lifetime.

“I can’t…” My eyes fix on Kai, begging him to understand even though he has no information, no real insight, as to why it’s crucial that I answer. I pick up the call and as Tyler’s voice fills my ears, I see the light burn out in Kai’s gaze.

I thought we were done at the park so many nights ago. I was wrong.

Back then, hope was still in the air.

Tonight, that hope is crushed.

Clarity.

CHAPTERTWELVE

My work phone pings, disturbing my peace and quiet as I chill in front of the TV with a glass of wine. There’s nothing on, but it’s mind-numbing enough to keep me from spiraling about what happened with Kai on Harvest Moon. I mean, it was a great night, but after that moment in the bathroom I felt something between us changed and I don’t like it. Maybe it was unfair of me to expect him to wait forever.

Another ping from my phone reminds me I’ve got a new message. It’s a request from a potential new client. Something else to keep myself busy and I can’t complain.

After spending far too long researching and looking into his details, I send ‘Elijah’ a message. He now has the code allowing him to read through and sign the contract I’ve made up for him. Once that’s complete, we can arrange our first ‘date.’

I’ve managed to finish off two bottles of wine, and it’s now past midnight. Kai’s face crumbling is at the forefront of my mind as I now lie in my huge, soft bed. Alone. Forever alone. I wish I had the guts to just tell him, but I’m sure his face would just crumble for different reasons. Either way, I don’t win.

I should be happy. I’ve got a full roster of clients, my brother and Petal are happy and thriving, and I’m living a very comfortable life. As much as I’m grateful for all that, I can’t help but wonder where I’d be if I hadn’t taken on the parent role with Ev. Or where we’d be if we didn’t have to sell our parents’ land to pay off their debts, leaving us struggling until I found Polly.

Would Kai and I have ever worked? Would the Freya thing still bother me, or is it just an excuse?

We’ve had disagreements before the other night, but none like that. There were no raised voices, no insults thrown, but Kai’s whole aura changed. Almost like he was disappointed. Yeah, that’s it, disappointment. He’s disappointed to lose his regular fuck buddy is what it is. Never having an actual boyfriend always meant I was available to Kai whenever he wanted. And I always gave in to the nostalgia of being with him. Is that what it is? Nostalgia?

I don’t fucking know.

What I do know, is that the world is currently spinning and I’m now regretting my second bottle of wine. And maybe the twelve-inch pizza too.

Sitting up slowly, because I’m desperate for a drink of water right now, I check my phone to see if Kai’s replied to my message.

Nothing.

Of course not. Why would he let me know that he’s okay?

Fuck him, and fuck his non-replying attitude. It was never going to be a thing anyway. He’ll put his big boy pants on soon enough and we’ll be friends again. That’s all we can ever be.

I let out a sad and, no doubt, pitiful sigh as I push out my negative feelings. They’re not going to help me. I’ll wake up in the morning to a brand-new day, these feelings will be gone, and I’ll have room for fresh and positive ones.

On that note, maybe I should give myself a little push; see if Nathaniel is up for that coffee sometime soon. It doesn’t matter if it goes nowhere, it’ll just be nice to have someone in Manhattan who knows me for me.

Fuck it, I’m gonna text him now.

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