Page 52 of Seductive Scoundrel

Keep my eyes on the prize.

Despite what I just told myself, by the time I reach my apartment and kick off my shoes, I feel like utter crap. Dean has gotten under my skin and I hate him for it. Of course, it doesn’t help that I can smell and taste him still.

But there’s a cure to my madness. Actually, there’s nothing that a Diet Coke or two, a large bag of sour cream and onion chips, and a chick flick won’t fix – or at least help to dull the pain for a while. For an added measure, I take out my phone and book a two-hour dog walking session at the Greyhound Rescue Center tomorrow. With any luck, Bianca will be there. She and I really connected, and I could use a bit of girl talk.

I keep Dean’s jacket on because if I’m going to wallow in misery, might as well go all out.How to Lose a Guy in 10 Daysstarts to play just as my phone dings and I immediately wonder if it’s him. Instead of checking the message, I shove a handful of chips into my mouth and keep my eyes glued to Matthew McConaughey.

The evil rectangle that keeps me tied to Mr. Big dings again. It’s tempting to check if he’s the one who messaged, but I won’t. I need some space to get my head back on straight.

“You’re going to spend the night in the bathroom,” I say, grabbing my cell and then heading towards the only other room in my not-so-luxurious bachelor pad.

Just as I set it on the shelf beside my hairbrush, a name flashes across the screen – but it’s not Dean.

It’s Kyle.

I click open my messages and see that he’s sent two. One is a picture of me at the gala tonight standing with the couple who hosted the event.

The other is a text that makes my stomach flip flop. I never told Kyle, or anyone he knows, where I moved.

Kyle: I see you’re keeping good company. Never pictured you as a New Yorker. I miss you M.

I sit there, staring at the words on the screen while my past flashes before me. Although Kyle never treated me badly, he never treated me great either. There were multiple stories of him with other women.

Of course, he denied them all. I believed him until he started fooling around with my best friend and I caught them. The sight of him fucking her on his desk is something that’s burned in my memory.

Live and learn.

Now I look before I leap and protect my heart, which is why spending the night with Matthew instead of Dean is a very good thing. I just wish it didn’t feel so shitty.

I press the reply bubble, ready to let out a little latent hostility.

Mia: Should have thought about that before you screwed around.

His reply is almost instantaneous.

Kyle: I’m surprised that you responded.

Mia: You caught me in a good mood.

Now that’s the biggest lie ever.

Kyle: Had fun tonight, did you?

Mia: The best time ever.

Another lie! I’m on a roll.

Kyle: Who did you go with?

Mia: None of your business. Say hi to Veronica for me.

Just thinking about my ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend cozied up together in his big ass house while I’m standing in a bathroom that’s designed for a trailer makes me even angrier.

Kyle: Babe, don’t be like that. Talk to me.

“Fuck off, Kyle,” I say loudly before dropping my phone on the shelf. “Dean, you can fuck off, too. Matthew, here I come.”

Chapter Fifteen

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