Page 16 of Last Second Chance

I swallowed hard, then added, “And...maybe we can have a long-overdue conversation.”

Scott looked so relieved to hear those words that I felt my heart clench. My stupid, treacherous heart.

This was probably not going to go well. But at least I could say I gave it a shot. No one would be able to accuse me of being stubborn again. And maybe I’d get some closure and be able to move on when this week was over.

The waitress arrived at the table to take our drink orders, and I thought that I saw her eyes linger on Scott for a few extra minutes as he gave her his food order. That shouldn’t have bothered me at all but an ugly, unwelcome emotion sprang to life in the center of my chest. I ended up glaring at the woman until she walked away and when my gaze returned to Scott’s face, there was a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. But he was smart enough not to say anything.

I knew that it would probably be a good idea to wait until after we ate for the heavy conversation but now that I’d decided to hear what he had to say, I didn’t think I could stand dancing around it just so that we could enjoy a meal.

“So,” I started, grabbing a breadstick from the basket in the center of the table. “Ben has been telling me for a long time that I should talk to you.Reallytalk.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do,” he agreed, “but are you ready for that?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted honestly. “But we’re here, and as close to alone as I’m willing to get. I think it’s now or never.”

“So, no pressure,” Scott said wryly.

I wanted to chuckle, but I picked up my water instead and took a sip.

The waitress returned with our food, and I was impressed by how quickly it arrived. I’d ordered shrimp linguine, and it looked mouthwatering. Picking up my fork, I took a bite of the creamy pasta and let out a small moan as flavor exploded inside my mouth. It was so good that I figured it was worth sharing the meal with Scott even if it ended in disaster.

I felt his gaze on me when I moaned and met his eyes across the table. The desire I saw there was unmistakable, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

Oh God, that was the last thing I needed. It had been so long since I had sex, and my body automatically started to respond to the heat in his eyes. The air between us grew heavy, and a clenching need emerged in the center of my body.

I couldn’t remember ever being turned on this quickly before, and I knew that it was because I could so clearly remember what Scott could do to my body. The pleasure that he brought out of me with his hands, his tongue, his cock…

Focus.

I cleared my throat.

“Maybe we should start that conversation,” I suggested. If anything could cool my libido, it was going to be a reminder of him with another woman.

“Right.” He took a deep breath, and I had a feeling that he was nervous. “The thing is...what happened that night...it’s not what you think.”

I scoffed.Isn’t that what they all say?

“Just listen, okay?” he pleaded with me.

The look in his hazel eyes was so damn sincere. It made my stomach somersault. I suddenlywantedto hear this. I had to know what he was going to say.

“Okay.”

“That night, I’d been working at the garage, a big job on a Chevy, so I got home a little later than usual. I didn’t notice anything strange when I walked inside, but when I got to my room...Veronica was there.”

The way he said her name was hesitant, reminding me of the way a child would pause before dropping a curse word that they knew they weren’t supposed to utter. Hearing him say it hurt, but I tried not to let him see that.

“You always said you were just friends,” I said, anger bleeding into my tone. I couldn’t help it. My own embarrassment was washing over me already. I should have known better.

“We were. At least, Ithoughtwe were. I had no idea that she had feelings for me. That’s why I let my guard down around her. I guess that at some point she saw me use the spare key I had hidden in the sconce outside my apartment door because that’s what she used to get inside.”

I was already finding this story hard to believe. “You know, I always suspected that she had feelings for you. Itoldyou that.”

“I know you did,” he said, running his hand down his face. He looked tired in a way that had nothing to do with lack of sleep. And ashamed. He looked so freaking ashamed. “But I swear, I didn’t see it. I was fucking clueless.”

The idea of him being so blind to his own appeal was almost cute, except that I wasn’t sure if I believed a word he said. “You know, your little girlfriend sent me a picture of herself in your bedroom.Naked.”

“Damn it, Poppy, she’s not my girlfriend. She never was.”

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