Page 10 of Moonflower

Yep. Definitely angry.

“I . . .”

“We promised we wouldn’t.”

“I know, but—”

“No!” he shouts. “No buts. You want to watch me marry Cora? You want to be around when we have kids? When I’m the one who’s there for her more because I’d be her husband? Tell me that wouldn’t be a living hell for you.”

“You’re good for her,” I mumble.

“And so are you,” Wilder snaps. “I couldn’t do it, Ez. I couldn’t step out of your way. Knowing she’d fall asleep in your arms every night when she could’ve been doing that in mine? It’d fucking gut me. And I would never do that to you.”

Raising my hands in defeat, I say, “Okay, fine. So why the hell did you start this conversation in the first place?”

“Because maybe Cora doesn’t have to choose between us. Maybe she doesn’t want to choose.”

“What?”

“She wants both of us, Ez.”

The words hit me like a freight train. Well, not the words—the concept. She wants me. Shit, she actually wants me.

“Both of us.” The words fall from my lips breathlessly.

He nods.

“How do you know this?”

“I can’t tell you right now. Do you trust me?”

“Again, what kind of question is that?! Of course I trust you.”

“Okay. Then I’m gonna tell you my plan. It won’t make sense. Not remotely. But I need you to follow along with it. For Cora.”

Involuntarily, my fists clench in my lap. But then I release a long breath. “Fine. For Cora. But you’d better not make me regret this.”

. . .

By the time we pull up to Cora’s apartment, it’s dark outside. She’s not here—I texted her to make sure she’s already at DeAndre’s and Imani’s Halloween party. Matt, however, is here.

This portion of Wilder’s plan makes me uneasy, but it makes a sick part of me very happy. I’ve only met Matt once, but the guy gives off horrible vibes. Like, slime vibes. He definitely doesn’t make Cora happy, so I’m not sure why she hasn’t broken up with him.

Apparently, though, Wilder knows Cora wants to end things. The asshole won’t reveal how, but I trust him. I just hope Cora won’t be pissed at us.

Cora and Matt live in the top half of a house that’s been converted into two living units. We head up the stairs quietly. About halfway up, I can’t hold my tongue any longer.

“What did Matt do?” I whisper. “To make her finally decide to break up with him?”

Wilder stops right outside the door to the apartment. “How do you feel about Cora?”

“Stop being an annoying shit, Wilder. You know.”

“Just answer the damn question.”

I blow out a breath, the force in Wilder’s eyes making me stop and actually think. After a minute, I grit out, “Don’t make fun of me for what I’m about to say. You’re acting like an asshole right now, and I don’t like it.”

His gaze softens. “I know. I’m sorry, I’m just pissed off. It’ll all make sense soon. And I promise, I won’t make fun of you.” His eyes sparkle with playfulness. “Well, not about this, anyway.”

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