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“No. I mean, he didn’t ask exactly, but we talked about it. Getting married someday.” She drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. “We both just said we weren’t in a hurry. He had law school, and I was new to teaching. But it was like we were stalling. It never felt like the right time.”
“Gotcha.”
She drew in a slow breath. “Honestly, I think I was relieved he never asked.”
Surprise had his brows lifting. But there was something beneath the surprise. A sliver of selfish pleasure.
“I know, that sounds terrible.”
It sounded like maybe the relationship had run its course.
“I’ll say it again. No one has the right to tell you how to feel.”
“You know, I wasn’t even that mad. When I found out he’d kissed another woman, I mean. It was almost like I’d been waiting for something like that to happen.” She gave a long sigh. “Waiting for a reason to end it.”
“Maybe you were. Maybe you both were.”
She shook her head and her hair swept down over her shoulder. “I think I was. I don’t think he was. He keeps texting. Keeps saying he wants me back.”
Eric debated how to answer that and considered what was going on in his friend’s head.
“James is a creature of habit. You were a part of his life. He probably feels like he’s missing an arm without you there.”
“That’s silly.”
“Maybe. He talks about you a lot.” He paused. “He also talks about her. The girl he kissed.”
“Oh?” There was no hurt in her eyes, just curiosity.
Still, he instantly regretted mentioning it.
“But with her, it’s anger. It’s like he blames her.”
“But he kissed her. James literally confessed that.”
“Yeah.”
She grunted. “Stupid men. Always blaming the women.”
“So there’s no animosity there?”
“I don’t even know her.”
“You’ve met her. She’s Kristen’s friend. She was at a party recently.” Maybe he shouldn’t be telling her this, but fuck, the words were coming up like vomit. “Tall, brunette—”
“Oh right. I think I remember her. She was really pretty.” She nodded in an almost analytical way. “I can understand the temptation.”
“Bullshit.” The curse was out before he could stop it, along with the rest of his thought. “Anyone stupid enough to pick another woman when they could have you is a damn fool.”
Fuck. What have you done?
He knew he’d shocked her by the way her dark eyes quickly rounded and her lips parted. A slight flush filled her cheeks.
His gaze dropped to her mouth and a wave of need struck him. He was transported to that moment in the store when he’d gotten to brush his lips over the softness of her forehead.
It was fast, and it should’ve been nothing but show, but for that brief moment in time, it had felt like everything. He’d wanted to move his lips lower and claim her mouth.
“Um, thank you.” She gave a nervous laugh. “But I think you’re being far too sweet. I’m just your average girl. Nothing all that exciting.”
