Page 84 of Lovestrung

Her honesty was one of the million things I loved about her.

And maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing that the Montgomerys had been let in on our relationship. I didn’t really want a lie to hang over our heads so early on in our relationship. That’s when it struck me that it was time I needed to tell Penelope about Privé. That I couldn’t, nor shouldn’t, hide it from her anymore.

I’d told her about my parents – my biggest secret and regret – so how hard could it be to reveal this part of my life to her?

My thoughts were interrupted when the scent of Astrid’s signature perfume – something flowery mixed with vanilla, so different from my girl’s clean scent – filled my nostrils, and I gritted my teeth when I felt her hand on my shoulder.

“Hey, handsome. Whatcha doing tonight?”

I zipped my bag and peered down at her. “Not much.”

She smiled as she leaned up to give me a kiss, but I took a step away, so her lips missed my lips, landing on my chin instead. “Cut it out, Astrid.”

Her eyes didn’t lose their playfulness. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry we won’t be working together anymore, Ethan. We were good together.”

I nodded. “Yeah, but you know what they say – all good things must come to an end. Besides,” I closed the locker and turned to face her, “you’ll fit so much better with a different partner than me.”

That caused her to frown. “What do you mean?”

“Just that your level of kink was never my thing.” I smiled gently at her. “You need to find someone who fits you so much better than me, babe.” I hoped she got the double meaning of my words, because even though she didn’t seem to get my brush-offs, she had to know we’d never be right for each other. We’d worked together so many times, and I respected her – she deserved the truth as well.

She took a deep breath, her hand falling from my shoulder. “Maybe you’re wrong, Ethan. Maybe you should let me show you how good we could be together.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m seeing someone else. Someone who means everything to me.”

The pain that lanced through her eyes hurt me, but I needed to be straight with her.

“It’s that girl I saw you with, isn’t it? The blonde, skinny girl.”

I sighed and stepped around her. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, it’s her.” I stopped, my back to her. “You’re a gorgeous woman, Astrid, but we were never meant to be more than friends. I’m sorry if I ever gave the implication that we were.”

“I’m a big girl, Ethan,” she sniffled. “Just tell me the truth – it’s because she’s thin and I’m not, isn’t it?”

Exasperated, I turned to face her. “Don’t be ridiculous. Size has absolutely nothing to do with it.” I leaned down and put my hand on her cheek, needing her to see the honesty in my words. “Pen’s owned my heart since I was thirteen, Astrid.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “It’s the truth. Please believe me.”

She dipped her chin and wiped her nose on her sleeve. “Wow. That sounds…intense.”

I grinned at her. “Well, maybe, but do you believe me now?”

She shrugged and stepped away from me when Callum came back from his studio. He hesitated but then reached out his hand for her.

“Come on, gorgeous. Let me buy you a drink.”

I looked between them, sensing there was more to the innocent request, but I didn’t ask.

Astrid smiled at Callum and took his hand. “Sounds good.” She squared her shoulders and looked directly into my eyes. “Goodbye, handsome. See you around.”

I nodded and smiled at her. “Probably, yeah.”

“Don’t be a stranger, man,” Callum grinned at me.

“I won’t.”

With that, he stepped around me, pulling Astrid behind him, and I let out a relieved sigh before I turned off the lights and followed them. Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to speak with my girl, and I rushed out the door and got into my truck. I wanted to hurry home, needing privacy for what I was about to tell her, but I fired off a text first:

Me: I miss you, darlin’. Home in five. Can I call you when I’ve taken care of the dogs?

I tossed my phone down on the seat and started my truck. The parking lot was almost empty, but just as I was about to reverse, my eyes caught Callum and Astrid standing next to his flashy, black BMW convertible in my rearview mirror, and I hesitated as I watched what could only be described as a heated argument. She was in his arms, slamming her palms against his chest before he leaned down and said something that caused her to melt into his arms. She buried her face in his neck, her body shaking. I frowned at the gentle way he ran his hand down her back to soothe her, a grim set to his mouth.