When I finally drift off to sleep, still with no word from Dean, my last thought as a new day begins isn’t of my handsome new boyfriend, but of my boss and his son—and how much I can’t wait to see them both again.
CHAPTER 16
Jason
As I watch Gemma move on the dance floor with unrestrained energy, the thumping beat pulling her body into effortless sharp, quick bursts of seductive movements, one thought echoes through my mind—I need to break things off with her. And what better timing than New Year’s Eve, right? It will be a fresh beginning for both of us, like starting with a clean slate. She can finally chase the freedom she’s been hinting at for weeks, and I can focus on my growing business and spending more time with Jake, especially with him starting school soon.
Don’t get me wrong, it was fun while it lasted, even satisfying the itch I’d had since Mila started working for me. But the thrill and excitement that was once there at the beginning has now worn off, and we’ve reached the point where we both want different things.
Perhaps I’m just not built for casual encounters after all. In fact, I’ve been in more serious relationships than flings because casual sex always felt hollow—meaningless. At the end of the day, I’m still coming home to an empty bed, feeling more alone than ever.
I’ve realised with absolute clarity that it’s not what I want—not when I have a little boy to think about.The last thing I need is for Jake to see a revolving door of women, coming and going as they please. Just thinking about it makes me want to ditch this placeand kidnap my son from Elena’s house and spend New Year’s Eve with him instead.
I knew the end was near for Gemma and me when our dates started to feel stagnant—dull, predictable, and stripped of the spark we once had. And the funny thing is, I’m certain she’s noticed it too.
Lately, she’s become more distracted; always glued to her phone or her gaze would wander to other men in the room. What’s even stranger is that it doesn’t bother me one bit. And I hate to admit it, I’ve been a little distracted too. I can’t stop thinking about Mila who lingers in my mind day and night, like an inescapable presence.And it’s only gotten worse since she started dating that smug little fuckface boyfriend of hers.
Just last week, as I was scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a photo she posted of herself on a yacht with Dean—no doubt handed to him by his parents. Both of them were glowing with fresh tans and beaming smiles, and the sight instantly made my stomach churn. When I read the caption, ‘Date night with the most amazing man,’ I wanted to fling my phone straight into the pool.
Seeing Mila utterly enamoured with someone else hurt far more than any of Elena’s betrayals. I couldn’t ignore it anymore—I was developing feelings for my son’s babysitter. And in that moment, I knew I had to end things with Gemma.
I miss the feeling of being in love—having someone to share everything with, to create and build a life together. It’s been over two years since my last serious relationship, and even though it ended in a way I never could have imagined, I still yearn for that deep, genuine connection with a woman.
Even as I’m sitting in a crowded rooftop bar with Chris beside me, sipping our drinks and watching our dates practically dry-humping each other on the dance floor, the craving for that connection hits me harder than ever.
Maybe it’s the way couples flock to embrace the new year with a kiss, or maybe it’s because this marks another New Year’s where I find myself, once again, feeling empty and alone. Whatever the reason might be, I’m sick and tired of the loneliness.
“Why the long face, man?” Chris asks, snapping me out of my gloomy thoughts.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve had that mopey look all evening, and it’s kind of depressing. What’s going on with you?”
I shake my head dismissively. “Nothing. I’m just taking in the stunning view.” I tilt my beer towards the breathtaking sight of the Harbour Bridge to emphasise my point.
Chris shoots me a sceptical look. “Come on, what’s really going on?”
I release a deep, heavy sigh. “If I tell you, are you gonna shut up?”
“Depends on what you’re about to say.” He smirks.
“You’re a dick!”
“Yes, I have one of those.” He lets out a small chuckle when I narrow my eyes at him.
“Okay, fine. I’ll drop it once you tell me what’s on your mind.”
I let out another sharp breath. “I’m thinking of ending it with Gemma. Well, the whole casual arrangement thing we have going on.”
“You sure you want to do that? She’s like a solid ten.”
“Then you date her.” I bump his arm with my shoulder, almost making him spill his drink. “I’m just not really into the whole casual thing, man. I want something more, something deeper.”
Chris stares at me, as if he’s trying to figure something out. Then after a brief pause he asks, “There’s another woman, isn’t there?”
I stay quiet, and he seems to take my silence as confirmation.
“Holy shit! I’m right, aren’t I? There is someone else.”
