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He continued to sway as he considered her question. “Depends...” he began. “Could be I’m an egomaniac refusing to admit a woman would want to end things and feeling I should have been the one to do it.”
That made her wince slightly.
“Or... I cared for her more than even I knew I did,” he offered.
Hope sprung to life in her chest.
“Or... I felt betrayed,” he finished.
Her gut clenched. At that moment, Miles had hit the nail on the head of her assessment and could be called MC Hammer.
“So, if she chose a great job in San Fran offered to her by one of his loved ones to ensure the end of their relationship?” she asked near his ear, her voice tentative.
Miles leaned back to look at her. “He may think you used him for a come-up,” he suggested.
“Right. I didn’t, but I can see how he may think that,” Jillian admitted, feeling so weary that she allowed her head to rest against his shoulder.
Miles chuckled and patted her back consolingly.
Jillian you’re on a date!
She jerked up her head. “I’m sorry,” she said, regaining her composure.
“In the words of Usher, you got it bad,” he said. “The only thing to do is a have conversation...with him.”
It was her time to chuckle. “Am I the worst date ever?” she asked.
He spun her away and then pulled her back to him. “Sadly, not at all,” he said dryly.
That drew a full laugh from her—head flung back and all.
“For tonight, let’s enjoy some good fun and good music,” Miles said. “And when I see you Tuesday at the market, we’ll just share a friendly smile and remember we wished each other well in our love lives...apart.”
“Deal,” Jillian agreed.
Miles took several steps back as he swayed their hands between them.Dance, he mouthed.
She did, holding the flared skirt of her red dress as she gently rocked her hips. It felt good to focus on the music and not work, missing her family or Cole—for at least a little while.
Cole released a yawn and set his laptop beside him on the bed as he sat back against the tall leather headboard. He checked his watch. It was well after midnight. He had been going through mockups for the new web design and overseeing plans for a massive launch party. He’d been at it all day and long after arriving at Gabe and Monica’s sprawling Tribeca condo.
Wearing navy pajamas that were totally for the sake of modesty while living with his brother and his fiancée, Cole left the bed and crossed the large room to use both hands to open the French doors. The heat of summer was fading quickly as early fall was approaching. He looked down at the street from the towering height, taking in the traffic, the bright lights and the still fast pace of New Yorkers even with the late hour.
There was a time when he would have been among them, searching for fast times and faster women to while away the late hours. Over the last year, Jillian’s apartment had appealed to him more. Just being there with her—laughing, cooking, watching silly television shows, or lost in the heat of their desire for each other—had satisfied him. That year had led to him no longer seeking—or needing—the nightlife.
But, just as he’d feared, being back among the New York streets was a poignant reminder of Jillian. He ached for her and then felt anger at being so foolish to do so.
She made her choice.
He closed his eyes and grated his teeth. Itstillbothered him.
He hadn’t been ready for their time to end, and it didn’t sit well that she had. It felt so disloyal to him. So underhanded.
Even though they had always maintained a no-strings attachment.
Even though neither had talked about forever.
He hadn’t even thought about it like that before.
