Page 63 of One Midnight Kiss

I couldn’t process this. I felt like the floor had dropped out from under me. I managed to make it through the rest of the meal. But there was no way I was going to stick around for dessert.

I helped clear the table and then made my excuse to leave.

“Are you okay?” Christa asked.

“I’m fine. You know how it is when you fly. You’re exposed to everything. I don’t want to risk you catching it. I’ll talk to you later.”

I didn’t bother sticking around and rushed for the door. The cool air stung my cheeks, but it wasn’t enough to clear my head. I needed to get out of here. Away from him. From all of them. I was hurt. That feeling of being betrayed rose up, twisting my stomach and threatening to make my excuse about being sick become a reality.

“Natalia, wait.”

I turned, finding Fox right behind me. “What do you want?” I snapped.

“You’re upset.”

“Of course, I’m upset!” I threw my hands up, feeling my control slipping. “Why didn’t you tell me you were helping them? Why didn’t Christa tell me? Why does everyone feel the need to keep me in the dark?”

He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. “I didn’t know she hadn’t told you. I didn’t know it was a secret. What is your problem with me? I didn’t do anything here. I thought I was doing something nice.”

I stared at him. There were so many thoughts running through my mind. I felt ridiculous. I’d been in love with a fictional man I met once. I’d fantasized about the man for a whole year. Now my feelings for Fox were getting in the way of the fantasy that had kept me going since my divorce?

What I felt for Fox was complicated and edging on something I’d never felt. Not even with Andrew. And now I had this stupid ring on my finger that meant everything to everyone on the outside looking in, and nothing to him.

I shook my head. I couldn’t talk. I got in the car, prepared to drive away. He caught my door, holding it open, and leaned down. “Come home with me,” he said.

I stared up at him with genuine surprise. It was so blunt. “So, we can sleep together again?”

“You’re upset. I don’t like the idea of you being alone⁠—”

“You want me to come over so we can sleep together again.”

“Whatever you want,” he said.

“Is that what you think this is?”

“I don’t know what this is,” he growled. “You won’t even give me your number, Natalia. But if sleeping together is what you want from me, don’t make it so complicated. Use me. I will happily get on my knees for you, and you know that.”

I slammed the door closed and drove off, leaving him in the driveway. My emotions were all over the place. I hated that my own friend felt the need to tiptoe around me. For the first time in a year, I finally felt like myself again. Now, looking back, I could see how much my behavior had affected Christa. I had been a horrible, self-absorbed friend.