Ugh.How dare he put this on me? Other than that almost kiss, he’s said or done nothing to indicate he wants more.UnlikeSimon.
Thedingof the elevator ends round one of our…conversation.
The doors slide open, I stomp out, and he follows; the ruffled sound of the bags he’s carryingintensifies.
Up in the distance, I hear voices, a woman’s giggles. And when I turn the corner of the hallway, I see Simon walking toward his apartment. In front of him, a blonde, long legs, pulling a suitcase. They stop in front of his door, you know, the one right across the way frommine.
Bewilderment runs through mybody.
Who’s that withSimon?
The two of them whirl around, both seeming to be startled by me and Jaxson approaching theirspace.
Simon’s eyes grow large; the woman smiles innocently. “Hello,” she says, her accent British sexy, matchingSimon’s.
I stop in front of my apartment door, Jaxson right next to me, the two of them standing across. Simon’s face is consumed with horror orguilt.
Maybe a mixture ofboth.
“Hello,” I say back to her, my eyes on Simon who is now as pale as aghost.
“I’m Lydia, and uh, I’m not sure if you’ve had a chance to meet my husband, Simon. He’s only moved in a few weeksago.”
What?
“Yourhus—”
“Great to meet you,” Jaxson interrupts, stepping in front of me. He grabs my key out of my hand, unlocks my apartment door and whisks me inside, closing the door behindhim.
I stand still, my jaw slack, as he drops the bags of fabric onto thefloor.
It’s dark—the only light isParispeeking inside through the living-room window’s openblinds.
Jaxson steps closer. The tears welled up in my eyes begin to fall. Trickling down, down,slowly.
He wraps his arms around me, holding me, as I weep first soft, thenharder.
“How could I have been so fucking stupid?” I moan while Jaxson holds me tighter, rubbing myback.
“Shhh, it’s okay,” he says, still holding me. Soothingme.
He was right. He knew I’d get hurt. I’m the idiot who ignored all the warning signs. Too good to be true. Standing meup.
Ugh.
Embarrassed, I break from Jaxson and walk over to the switch on the wall to turn on thelights.
Truffles charges in from the bedroom and lets out anarf, pawing at my leg, demanding to be scoopedup.
Jaxson bends down to lift him up, “Hey, little guy, show me the way to the kitchen so I can get your mommy somewater.”
I plop down on the couch, and look around the room. I feel nauseous at the thought of me actuallywantingSimon. He’s married.Married.
There goes another failed attempt at me not beingalone.
I hatehim.
Fury runs through my veins and I just want to flee. Anywhere but here. I don’t ever want to face Simonagain.
