Page 47 of Some Kinda Romance

22

SERENITY

Ethan hadn’t let up at all since he’d blackmailed me, but he’d also noticed that Dash and I hadn’t been seen together again, so he hadn’t released the pictures yet. On the other hand, he was still calling me every day, and if I didn’t answer, he wasted no time reminding me what was at stake.

I’d had enough, though.

Of both of them.

After what had happened with Dash earlier, I was done with him too. Finished and done. In fact, the way I felt right now, I was done with men in general.

They were far more trouble than they were worth.

Brooding in my office, I was facing the window and glaring down at the streets below. At least Dash and I had managed to finalize the bar arrangements for the wedding after he’d left. It turned out we were more effective via email now than we were in person.

It was darn sad, really. Just two weeks ago, I’d thought we had something real but apparently not. Apparently, we couldn’t even have a simple conversation anymore. Asshole. Hadn’t even heard me out.

I was still mentally ranting about it when my phone rang. Twisting to grab it, I arched an eyebrow when I saw Ethan’s name on the screen. Oh, you picked the wrong moment, buddy.

My office door was closed and it was the end of the day, so I doubted anyone was about to interrupt or overhear me. I picked up, gripping my phone so hard, I wondered if it might crack.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he crooned over the line. “Are you ready to give in yet?”

Not even a quick, “how are you?” Nothing. And yet, you want me to believe you love me and that it will be better this time around. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit.

I’d been planning on letting him have it as soon as his name had come up on my screen, but instead of just letting him have it, I lost it completely. “Go to hell, Ethan. I refuse to let you intimidate me anymore. If you want to release those pictures, then go ahead and do it, you piece of shit. I’ll either sink or swim, but at least I’ll be doing it on my own terms.”

There was a brief pause. “You’re going to regret this, Serenity. Are you sure you don’t want to take it back?”

“Fuck off!” I said and hung up on him.

Way beyond caring about his threats, all I wanted was to be rid of him for good. I couldn’t talk to him for one more day, and at least now, I wouldn’t have to.

Almost as soon as I ended the call, Julie came in. She and I had made up the day after our little spat and I beamed at her, knowing she’d be proud of me for finally standing up for myself. “I did it. I told him to fuck off.”

“Who? Ethan or Dash?”

“Ethan,” I said, then sighed. “Dash basically told me to fuck off, though. I guess it’s just one of those days.”

“It’s for the best,” she said gently, coming over to give me a hug. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here for your meeting with Dash. I tried, but the guy from Manning Meats just wouldn’t stop talking.”

I chuckled even though it felt like my heart was breaking all over again. “That’s okay. I’m actually pretty glad you weren’t here for it, and besides, it’s better that you met with a vendor we actually need rather than a client I can’t wait to be rid of.”

“I still wish I had been here for you,” she said as she held me tight. “At least it’s over now, right?”

“Right,” I agreed as I let go of her. “All the men in my life just decided to go crazy at the same time, it seems. Dash even accused me of trying to get media attention by trying to turn the situation between me, him, and Ethan into a love triangle. He thinks I have a show or something coming up or that I’m simply trying to stay relevant.”

“That’s insane.” She pulled a face at me. “Where the hell did he get that from?”

“God knows.” I shrugged as I headed back to my desk to pack up my things. “All I know is that I’m ready to forget about both of them. Want to help me?”

“Are you suggesting a movie night with lots of junk food and cheap wine?”

I smiled. “It’s like you can read my mind.”

“I’ll see you at your place in about an hour?”

“That sounds great.” I slid my phone and keys into my purse and headed out. Julie and I both went our own separate ways to pick up our favorite junk food before we regrouped at my apartment.