It was probably for the best. I'd known Maisie for less than a month. Sure, it felt like ten times longer. And yeah, even now, she was something special – someone to warm your heart, not only your bed.
But she wasn't right forme.
She'd said so herself – at least in so many words.
I was still staring at the door.Yeah, it was definitely for the best.
But if that was the case, why did I feel like I was turning sideways and inside-out?
I blinked long and hard.
Fuck.
56
A Night Full of Secrets
Maisie
On the other side of the couch, Tessa looked ready to strangle someone. "He saidwhat?"
It almost hurt to repeat it. "Hesaidthat if I wanted an apology, I'd be waiting a while."
The room was warm, but she literally shivered. "Man, that's cold."
I couldn't even pretend to smile. "I know, right?"
"So he admitted it? That he got with Sierra?"
It was Wednesday night, and this was the first time Tessa was hearing any of this. On the night in question – when I'd been sleeping alone and Griff had been sleeping wherever – Tessa had been oddly scarce.
In fact, she'd been scarce for two whole days – and yeah, both of those nights, too.
For me personally, the timing hadn't been terrific. The house had felt too big, too empty, and too cold in spite of warmer weather.
So far, today had been the worst. With the shop closed for the day, I'd spent far too many hours on my own.
No Griff.
No Tessa.
Just me.
As far as Tessa, I had no idea where she'd been. Other than a vague text saying she'd be away for a couple of nights, she'd offered no explanation.
Ihadasked – not in person, but by text.
Her reply had been typical Tessa.It's not important. I just didn't want you to worry.She'd sealed it with a smiley face, which perversely, had only made it worse.
But now, she was back, making me realize how much I'd missed her – and how important she'd become.
There was only one downside. Now that we were finally talking, I was in serious danger of crying my heart out. But I didn't. Instead, I swallowed hard and said, "He didn't admit anything. He started talking about security systems, for God's sake."
She bit her lip. "Well…that's good at least."
"How so?"
"It shows he cares." She gave me a tentative smile. "Right?"
