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Zachary.
I probably should have been angry at him. He’d crashed my date with Preston, trying to sabotage us yet again. What kind of man would do such a thing and think it was okay?
Another realization hit me. It was like stepping out into the light after being in darkness. Everything was illuminated and clear.
Zachary Haven was absolutely ridiculous. And also the man of my dreams.
He was like the most charming, silly, over-the-top book boyfriend in any number of my favorite stories. Cocky, spontaneous, and impulsive. And he’d turned all that chaotic energy on me.
He hadn’t been manipulating me. I wasn’t the butt of the joke. Zachary Haven probably hadn’t been serious about much in his life. Until now.
Until me.
I grabbed my phone from my purse. I didn’t want to have this conversation now, either. I wanted to see him in the light of day, face to face. And I really wanted to officially end things with Preston before I saw Zachary. That felt like the right thing to do.
But I didn’t want him to go to bed tonight wondering if I was mad.
Me: He’s gone and I’m okay. Thank you for tonight.
Zachary: Of course. You sure you’re okay?
Me: Yes, positive. Can we talk tomorrow?
Zachary: Definitely. What time?
Me: I have something to take care of first thing, but I’ll text you after. Does that work?
Zachary: Whatever you need
Me: Goodnight, Zachary
Zachary: Night, Mari
I put down my phone and exhaled. I’d see him tomorrow. And I had a feeling everything was about to change.
CHAPTER 23
Marigold
Nervousness tightened my stomach as I got ready to leave. I’d asked Preston to meet me for coffee this morning so we could talk, and I would have been lying if I’d said I wasn’t dreading it. I needed to end things with him, officially. And as tempting as it was to hide behind a text, I knew that wouldn’t be sufficient.
Plus, a guy had broken up with me over text before. I knew it was common in this day and age, but I didn’t like it. Whether or not Preston deserved more of my time and attention, I was going to do this the right way.
I also knew there was a possibility he’d choose differently than he had last night—that the malevolence I’d seen behind his eyes would come out. Which was why we were meeting downtown at the Steaming Mug. I wanted witnesses, just in case he decided to cause a scene.
I’d skipped breakfast and only had a few sips of tea, but my nervous tummy didn’t seem to want anything. So I grabbed my purse, tucked my phone inside, and set it on the console table while I grabbed my coat from the hook near the door.
I heard a car pull into my driveway and before I could look out the window to see who it was, someone knocked on my door.
My heart jumped a little as I answered.
Preston stood on my doorstep, his expression hard. There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his eyes. Just cold, hard steel.
Involuntarily, I took a step back. “We’re supposed to meet at the Steaming Mug.”
He came in and shut the door behind him. “I want to talk now.”
I took a deep breath. If this was how he wanted it, I’d just get it over with. “Fine. I’m not going to see you anymore.”
