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“Well, the reason for that, is this guy I met not long after you moved to New York. His name was Josh. Is Josh. He’s not dead, or anything. At least, I don’t think so.”
“Jesus Christ, Ally. You’re killing me.”
“Sorry. So anyway, I met this guy, Josh. I fell for him hard. Like, really hard. The big L. I’d played the field enough to know what I wanted and baby, he wasit. He said he felt the same. I was delirious with happiness. Six weeks after we met, he proposed.”
“What the fuck?”
“I know. I said yes straight away. Because I justknew,you know. I hadn’t even brought him home to Mom and Dad, or met any of his family. Fuck, it was so intense and beautiful and amazing.”
“So what happened?”
“He just…ended it.”
“What the fuck?” I said again. “What do you mean?”
Ally shrugged. “I mean he just ended it. Said he was just messing with me. Didn’t love me. Just wanted to see how far he could take it, for fun. He said that I wasn’t really the marrying kind of girl because I was too much. Too loud, too bossy, too…everything, I guess.”
“Jesus…” I breathed.
Tears glistened in Ally’s eyes. “Right? I mean, the fucker bought me a ring and everything. We set a date. It was only when we had to put down the non-refundable deposit for a venue that he decided to come clean.” Resolutely blinking back the tears, she said, “Yeah, so. That’s my dirty little secret.”
“I’m so sorry.” I gave her a hug. “What a giant, steaming pile of shit fuckstick asshole.”
Ally chuckled ruefully. “You’re not wrong there.” Pushing the pillow away, she got decisively to her feet. “Anyway. I don’t even know why I’m thinking about it so much, but I feel better now that I’ve talked about it, so thanks for listening.”
“I’m glad you feel better. And no problem.”
“I think it’s time for coffee, as long as you’ve finished your Berocca.”
“Yep, and then I’ll need the longest shower in history.”
I followed Ally through the house to the kitchen, frowning in confusion when she said, “What’s Jake’s story, anyway?”
“What do you mean, story?”
“Gabe had to take him home because he punched some guy in the face.”
My eyes widened. “Jake? Punched someone in the face? I can’t even imagine that. He seems so calm and quiet.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too. It was a pretty ugly scene, from what I could see. And earlier, I’d tried to give Jake a beer, but Gabe totally stopped me. There’s something weird going on there, for sure.”
“It doesn’t sound good, whatever it is.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
CHAPTER22
Zara
Dating Matthew openly certainly had its advantages, I thought, as he parked his truck in the drive and I came out of the house. Like right now, for instance: I was planning to plant a big kiss on him. If someone were to arrive while I was doing that, there was no longer any need to freak out, back away, or otherwise feel guilty.
Matt leaned against the truck with his hands in his pockets, watching me approach. Little tendrils of heat curled in my belly as I got closer and he reached out, hooked a finger into the neckline of my sweater, and with agonizing slowness pulled me toward him. My heart thumping, I went willingly. He shifted, widening his stance so my feet were between his.
“So, I’ve got this idea…”
“Yeah?” I rested my hands on his broad chest, leaning into him. Sliding his hand into my hair, he lowered his head, brushed his lips across mine. “Ooh, that’s a great idea. I’m all in.”
Grinning, Matt said, “Silly. That was just to get your interest.”
