She winced. “I’m sorry, too.”
“No.” I squeezed her hand. “Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong.”
We were quiet for a moment as she flexed her hand in mine and watched. “I wish you told me.”
“I know,” I whispered, observing her. “I should’ve. I just… I didn’t want her bullshit poisoning what we had going on.”
“It won’t touch us, Theo. Not if we don’t let it.”
Huh.
That stuck with me.
“You’re right.” I pulled her closer, settling us back against the pillows, her head on my chest. My hand found her waist and stayed there.
She tilted her head up, chin resting on my chest. “I can tell you’re hiding things from me. I don’t know why, but I don’t like it.”
I froze a little, but kissed her forehead gently. “I promise I’ll tell you everything tomorrow, baby. Just get some rest. Okay? I love you.”
“Fine.” She didn’t put up a fight, which I appreciated. “But we are talking first thing in the morning, Teddy. I love you, too.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Her breathing slowed. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.
I stared up at the ceiling, thoughts still churning. Tomorrow could change the trajectory of our relationship forever. Carmen had always been firm in her decisions, so my making this one without her could possibly lead to her running back to New York.
Back to Marcus.
Tuh.
A part of me felt ridiculous for overthinking this. When I did what I did, I thought the only consequence would be Carmen having a temper tantrum. But now that he’s in the picture— another part of me, the part that had stood on that sidewalk tonight and listened, couldn’t let it fucking go.
In my absence, another man had taken up space in her life as someone she could rely on, and it didn’t sit well with me.
Not at all.
Careful not to wake her, I slipped out from under her, picked up her phone from the nightstand, and unlocked it.
I opened her call log, and there he was.Marcus.I tapped the contact.
Blocked.
I stood there a moment longer, staring at the screen, then set the phone gently back on the nightstand.
She shifted in her sleep, reaching for the warmth that had just left her side.
I climbed back into bed and pulled her close. Her arm slid across my stomach, her cheek pressing into my chest. I closed my eyes.
I said I’d tell her everything tomorrow, but I think I’ll keep this one to myself.
Gorgeous. Sexy. Pricey.
Day One.
I woke up to an empty bed.
The sheets were cold where he should’ve been, and the dim light peeking through the curtains told me it was around noon. I stared at the ceiling, trying to swallow down the familiar ache in my chest.
I’ve grown used to waking up alone over the years, but after a disappointing first night and the promise of an explanation that never came in the morning, I was undeniably annoyed.
