Page 462 of One More Kiss
She carefully studies me, twitching her lips as if she’s happy with my response, before she continues. “He told you all about his late wife and baby down at the beach, didn’t he?” she asks when she notices all the blood rushing out of my face. “That’s his pity game, darling. He knows women can’t resist him, but once he makes them think he’s going all in, they become putty in his hands.” She flashes a genuine, apologetic smile. “Hook, line, and sinker,” she confirms, and I wish she’d just stop talking so I can process her words.
Ethan’s avoided relationships for years, but I know that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had one-night stands or flings. Why would he need to manipulate them when he’s the one who doesn’t want anything more than a physical relationship? But then again, how would she know about our date on the beach and him sharing those intimate details with me? What if it really is his MO? Questions swirl around in my mind, but I can’t make sense of them. Nothing is making sense, yet I feel my insides twisting.
Finally, I clear my throat and speak. “How do you know all this?”
“Because I’ve been in your shoes, hon. So have many other women in town. Once the news started to get around of his dating rituals and women were onto his scam, he moved to tourists only, which is no secret why he rents out the cottage.” She purses her lips as if it should all be clicking in my head right about now. “Same old story, too. He says he only does one-night stands to make us feel like we’re something special, but once he’s bored, we’re kicked to the curb.” Her expression is firm as if she’s warned others before. “I know it’s none of my business, but I just felt like you should know. We women have to stay together, ya know? But you can do whatever you want. I just wouldn’t feel right walking away and not giving you a warning, since, by the look on your face, no one else has.”
I don’t even reply or give her a chance to continue again before I walk away without my cart. As quickly as I can, I find a bathroom and close myself in a stall, and that’s when the tears unleash. Is that all this is to him? A game? Was I stupid enough to believe someone like Ethan could really fall for someone like me, especially when he dates women who look like Harmony? Every trust issue I’ve had in the past surfaces full force as I think about how easy I let a guy like Ethan in. What the hell was I thinking?
Looking down at my phone, I see my hand shaking. Slowly, I’m crumbling and feel like everything I thought I knew was a lie.
I’m a fool.
I should’ve never trusted him so easily.
He made me believe he was different and that letting my guard down wouldn’t come back to bite me, but it looks as if I was wrong. Again.
I’m drowning in emotions as I schedule another Uber to take me back to the cottage.
My heart is shattering into a million pieces, and I’m pissed off that I put myself in this situation once again.
I need to leave.
I need to pack my shit and get the hell out of here as soon as possible.
