“We’ve talked about this. I don’t even know why I’m going over it again. It’s not like it matters. He can’t make me leave. And you can’t either,” I tack on the end. “I take that back. He might be thrilled I’ve found someone like you who wants me to take the easy way out.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
I hold up my palm and puff out a sigh.
“I know. I’m over the arguing tonight. Can we just enjoy our meal?”
“If that’s what you need, sure. But I’m paying to feed you. Not because you can’t, but because you’re stressed, and I want to do this for you.”
I give my empty glass a sad face. “Luckily for you, I’m all out of fucks.” I manage to remain expressionless and lean back in my chair.
“Luckily for you, I’m not.”
He winks.
Oh, my.
I crack a wobbly grin.
One thing’s for certain out of the turmoil of today. He sure knows how to pull a woman out of a funk.
13
Rhett
I sit behind the desk in my office a few days after the incident at Calypso’s, frustrated that I can’t seem to stop thinking about it. Hell, I can’t seem to stop thinking about Evie most of the time, but it’s not only her. It’s Melanie. And Mallory. And the goddamn reputation I let myself build during a destructive spiral. Trying to decipher if Evie means something more to me is hard as hell. These other women provided a distraction and a good time—a mutual one—but with Evie, I’m enjoying the more.
She’s the first woman I’ve spent considerable time with since splitting with Nora, and it’s barely been two weeks. That’s hardly substantial in a way that I know I need more.
More time.
More laughs.
More conversations beneath black skies and twinkling stars.
But the thorns of doubt poke and prod and nestle inside me while taunting.
Do I need more, or am I holding out for the opportunity to fuck her?
I worry that over the past year, I’ve lost the core of who I am. I’m not the guy who screws everything with a set of tits even though that’s precisely what I’ve been doing. Turning into that man was easy when I was bogged down with a hurricane of pain. Returning to who I used to be seems damn near impossible now that I’ve tarnished myself in a way I can’t erase. My soul will wear these stains for the rest of eternity.
I want to move away from the person I’ve been, the one who enjoys a good woman and a good time, usually with a load of booze to do it. What sort of role model am I for Tommy if I have a constant train of women parading through my life?
The question remains bouncing around my skull.
Where does this leave Evie?
I groan and settle my head into my hands. I could add the label of liar if I said I didn’t want to screw her into next week. Somewhere other than the back seat of my car would be nice. If this office hadn’t been owned by my grandfather, I’d consider bringing her here, but that wouldn’t make me much different than my soon-to-be ex-wife. Office gossip and security cameras would out my behavior in an instant.
I can’t even sleep here out of respect for the man who raised me. He’d undoubtedly understand, being the type of man to love hard work and sacrifice. Knowing my situation is temporary is all the more reason to keep it under wraps and not have to dodge questions I don’t have answers to.
Thoughts of Nora completely douse my sexual desire in an instant. She makes me perpetually cold and my dick soft.
My cell vibrates loudly on my desk, and Evie’s name illuminates the screen.
“Hey there,” I answer immediately, noting the way my mood lightens. I shuffle a stack of papers to the other side of my desk and out of my way.
A pause lingers. “Hey.” The word is punctual.