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22
“So, you two are dating then?”Shay lifted an eyebrow.
I resisted the urge to huff or make any indication that I was already irritated with her. It wasn’t even her fault; I just didn’t like the way she looked at me, as if she knew all my secrets and how bad of an idea this was. Mostly because all those things were true.
“We’re discreetly dating, testing things out.” I shrugged, moving toward the sink. I wanted to gloss over all the things my best friend would say to me. I already knew. I had stayed up all night the last two nights telling myself over and over that this was going to end badly and I’d get my heart shattered again.
“Right…” Shay turned and headed toward my fridge.
I held my breath, wondering if she’d possibly drop it.
“Have you two had sex?” She turned on her heel suddenly, her hair whipping around, her eyes searching my face for the answer.
Thank God my kids weren’t home at the moment.
“No,” I answered, probably too quickly.
“You’ve done something though.” She rounded the kitchen island and pulled my shoulder until I was looking at her.
“Shay, just…” I kept my eyes on the floor.
“Oh my god! You totally have done something with the sexy movie star. Are you crazy?” She gripped both my shoulders, staring me down.
“Look…you know how I feel about him, but he wants more than just something physical.”
“And what does Logan think of this development?” Her eyebrows knit together as she interrogated me.
“He doesn’t know.” I pushed out of her grip and went back to the dishes. Ryan was at the store with the kids, and I really didn’t want him to walk in while I was explaining this.
Shay took a step back, her black medical scrubs shifting just the smallest bit while she watched me. She was acting as though I had cheated on Logan, and I hated that she was looking at me like that. I didn’t deserve it.
“I don’t owe him anything.” My frosty defense did nothing to change the wall of stone my best friend had turned into.
I wouldn’t budge on this matter; he had cheated, not me. Regardless of our dynamic, it was never okay to cheat while in a committed relationship.
“Honey, I know you don’t…but he’s the father of your kids. You at least owe him a heads-up for what he might see on TV, in line at the supermarket…or on social media.”
I fought against the lump rising in my throat. Why couldn’t I just keep this tiny piece of happiness to myself? Why did I have to share it with the entire world? Logan hadn’t told me, the mother of his children, that he’d been fucking someone else. Why did I need to tell him I was seeing Ryan?
“Stop justifying your silence.” Shay tapped my forehead gently.
She knew me too well.
The front door opened, and Cole and Bella came in, laughing while holding large ice cream cones. Ryan’s aqua gaze danced between Shay and me, a curious concern tightening his eyes just the smallest bit.
“Hey guys!” I said, hoping to wipe that look off his face.
“Everything okay?” Ryan asked, walking toward me. His hand rested on my hip protectively, but in a way the kids wouldn’t be able to see. My stomach flipped at the warmth and protectiveness I felt from it. I didn’t remember him ever touching me in such an intimate way back when we dated in college.
“Yeah, all good. Shay and I were just catching up—she had a busy weekend.” I offered a quick smile before moving toward the sink once more.
“Not nearly as busy as yours.” She raised her left eyebrow and put her hand on her hip, glaring at Ryan.
I nearly choked on my tongue. Was she really doing this right now?
“Shay—” I started, but she interrupted me with a smile and a quick twirl.
“Well, I’m off to work. You kids have fun tonight.” She gave me a look that said we weren’t done with this conversation then kissed each of the kids on the forehead before leaving the room.
