Page 78 of One Midnight Kiss

Fox didn’t interrupt, didn’t move. He just stood there, listening.

“Abigail showed up early,” I said, the name sour on my tongue. “She was Andrew’s coworker. We had her over before. I thought we were all friends. We had shared recipes with each other.”

Fox’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything.

“They announced it over dessert,” I continued, feeling like I was back there in that room, watching it unfold in slow motion. “Andrew stood up, and he said he had something to share. Then he and Abigail looked at each other and they announced they were together. In front of everyone. I thought I was hallucinating. I couldn’t understand why no one else was shocked.”

I took a shuddering breath, looking down at the fake ring on my finger. It felt like it was burning into my skin. “Andrew had told everyone,” I said quietly. “Over the course of several months, he told all of our friends that we were separated, that I was okay with it. That I was supportive of his new relationship. And I had no idea. We were still fucking married.”

“I can’t imagine,” Fox said.

“No, you can’t because they toasted me,” I squeaked, my voice breaking. “Like, they raised their glasses and toasted me for being so gracious, for stepping aside. Abigail looked me in the eyes and thanked me. I just froze.”

I had relived this moment so many times but saying it out loud made it feel raw and new. The betrayal, the humiliation. I felt like I was going to crumble into a million pieces.

Fox didn’t say anything at first. He just slipped his fingers under my chin, gently tilting my face up to meet his gaze.

“I might have roughed him up a little the other night,” he said.

I blinked, caught completely off guard. “I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

Fox shrugged, like it was nothing. “I gave him a scare.”

“Him? As in Andrew?” I asked, trying to read his expression. He was smiling, but there was something almost wicked about it. “How? When?”

“I might have bumped into him at a restaurant,” Fox said casually, as if he were discussing the weather. “Let’s just say I made it clear he’s not welcome in your life anymore.”

I stared at him, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “You—” I started, but the words got tangled up in my throat. “You did what?”

“He’s a coward, Natalia,” Fox said, his voice softer now. “And he didn’t know what he had. You didn’t deserve that. Fuck him.”

I felt lightheaded, like the ground had shifted beneath me. He leaned down, his lips brushing mine before I even realized what was happening. The kiss was gentle, almost tentative, like he was giving me a moment to pull away if I wanted to.

But I didn’t want to.

When he pulled back, I could see something in his eyes that I hadn’t noticed before. It wasn’t just the usual flirtation or amusement. It was something deeper, something real.

Was I falling in love with him?

Fox gave me a lopsided grin. “I’m not the greatest guy sometimes,” he admitted. “But I promise I’m not like that. I would never betray someone like that, not even my worst enemy.”

I felt a laugh bubble up in my chest, surprising even me. “I’m still not giving you my phone number,” I said, trying to regain some semblance of control.

“Yet,” he said, pressing a kiss to my temple. It was such a simple gesture, but it felt like a promise. Like he was telling me he wasn’t going anywhere, even if I hadn’t asked him to stay.

He pulled back, looking at the charcoal chicken still sitting on the stovetop. “I’m suddenly craving pizza.”

I let out a relieved breath, nodding. “That’s funny, so am I.”

He grabbed his phone, stepping aside to place the order. I watched him as he talked, pacing around the kitchen like he owned the place. It was strange how natural this all felt. How easily he fit into the empty spaces in my life.

He didn’t even freak out about the chicken.

When he hung up, he turned back to me with that infuriatingly charming smile. “I should have asked earlier, but you like pepperoni, right? Because I can call them back.”

“Pepperoni is great,” I said, feeling the corners of my mouth lift despite myself. “But thank you for asking.”

He crossed the room in two strides, pulling me into his arms. I let him hold me, resting my head against his chest. For the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe I wasn’t destined to be alone forever.