Page 39 of Toxic Kiss

“What you really mean is that she still thinks you can do better than me.”

“Haven…”

“Save it. I know she hates me and thinks I’m not good enough for you. She’s made it very clear that she wants you to marry a politician’s daughter or someone else she deems worthy. I can only imagine the party she threw when she found out I was taking a job across the country. I’m sure she’s trying to convince you that leaving New York and marrying me is a bad idea and will ruin your precious career.”

“She hasn’t done anything of the sort, and my career is special to me, just as yours is to you. So, don’t make this a fight.”

“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it. This has been going on since before we got engaged, and it’s really starting to feel like you only asked me to marry you to placate me. Do you even want to get married?”

A long pause. “You’re really not going to let this go?”

“No, Charles. I’m really not. We are talking about the rest of our lives, not a weekend vacation. And you didn’t answer the question.”

“I’m not going to dignify that question with a response, and⁠—”

Click.

Nope, I’m done. I can’t let Charles rile me up any more than I already am. I don’t even have it in me to be sad. I’m just…tired. Emotionally hollowed out.

I shove the phone in my back pocket and straighten up, brushing invisible dust off my jeans. When I turn, I nearly collide with Cyrus.

He is like a fucking cat and looks way too at ease as he leans one shoulder against the truck, arms crossed, sunglasses down. The smirk he is giving me could break laws in several states.

“How long have you been standing there?”

From the smug look on his face, I assume the whole time.

“Long enough to know that you’re being played, and that asshole’s never moving. He wanted nothing more than to lock your pussy up with a ring before you left. I bet he has three girls on the side already.”

“Wow. All of that from one conversation.”

Rolling my eyes, I try to walk past him, but he steps in my way.

“Jesus, Haven. You really think he plans to marry you or move? Wake up! That guy might have said it, but he didn’t mean it.”

I don’t take the bait. Instead, I just shake my head.

“You don’t know anything about my relationship, Cy.”

“I don’t have to meet this guy to know a placeholder convo when I hear one,” he shoots back. “Trust me.”

Ouch. I step back like he has sucker-punched me. The worst part…I agree. It is like he’s reaching into my head and heart, tugging at all the insecurities that are already forming.

“Trust your gut,” Cy says, pulling a pack of peanuts out of his back pocket and opening them.

Even the rustle of the bag as he pours some into his hand annoys me.

“Well, my gut is saying to stay away from you. So, I guess you have a point, I should listen.” I take a step, and Cy blocks my path again. “Don’t make me go under the trailer. I will.”

“Haven, you know I’m right.”

I cross my arms and glare at the biggest asshole in my life.

“Right. And what exactly are you an expert in, Cy? Healthy commitment? Stable emotional boundaries? Respect, honesty…” I hold up my fingers, listing off all the things that Cyrus Vale is not. He plows through boundaries, laughs in the face of respect, has no idea what honesty is, and commitment…forget about it.

“Touché.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. There is something frayed or haunted in his stare. “But that is actually my point. I was the player. I used those lines. I said all the things to get in whoever’s pants I wanted to and then didn’t bother to wave goodbye. If anyone knows what a gaslighting convo sounds like when they hear one, it’s me.”

“Don’t I know it,” I mumble.