"Jess, I...."
I glanced at him. I could see the struggle in his mind and on his lips.
"Look, nothing has changed. I have plans, Ben, and they don't include running off into the sunset with you. It doesn't involve me staying here with you."
"Jess, that wasn't my intention. What happened—"
I held out my hand. I didn't want to hear anymore of his excuses. "I dohave a life, Ben. I have plans. My friend, Kate, has a job lined up for me once I return to LA. So, as soon as this project is finished, this place will be on the market and I will be gone."
"So once again, you are going to run, just like last time."
"This isn't like the last time."
"Sure it is. Look what happened all those years ago—a stupid idea of a wild promise and you took off. You are making the same mistake all over again. Just like last time, you are still the one dying to leave."
"Did you think because Kendrick is gone I would stay? My life isn't here. My life is back in LA."
"I never said that. Besides, you were the one who wanted the renovation to slow down. You certainlyhaven't complained about being by my side for the last couple of weeks, or spending the evenings curled in my arms while we watch movies."
I stepped away just as he went to reach for me and held my hand up to him, stopping him. I turned away from Ben and looked out over the city as he continued rambling. He could say what he wanted. This was nothing like the last time. I could feel the anger building in me and blurted the only thing I could think of to say. "I'm sorry, Ben, but last night was a mistake."
I regretted the words the second they fell from my lips. I couldn't even turn around to look at him, but I knew he was still there. I could sense his presence. I felt the tears burn in my eyes as I looked down to that silly ring.
"Wow. Really, Jess? Is that how you feel? That last night was a mistake? Your words, the way your body responded to me..."
I nodded. "It was a mistake." I knew the second I spoke my voice had betrayed me.
"Funny, I don't think this was a mistake. It was fate, Jess. Fate brought you back here, and fate made you call Sunset Builders. This is meant to be."
I squeezed the ring in the palm of my hand and ground my teeth together. "Get out!"
"You—"
"Just go, get out!" I said, turning around and meeting his eyes. "Here." I held out my hand that held the ring. "And take this with you."
He ripped the ring from my fingers, grabbed his shirt, and headed out of the bedroom. I sat down on the edge of the bed. The sense of loss I felt only propelled the tears to start faster. I heard the door slam shut, and then the floodgates opened. Kendrick was dead, he had a whole other life that he had kept secret from me. I had just slept with Ben. To say I was beyond confused and extremely hurt was an understatement. Ben had no clue what he was getting himself into with wanting me back.
The second the tears stopped, I looked around the empty apartment. I didn't want to be alone. I needed Kate, and I immediately picked up the phone and dialed her number.
I had explained nothing regarding Ben over the phone to Kate. All I had said was that I needed some company. Now two hours later, Kate and I sat in the living room, each of us holding a hot mug of coffee in our hands. She'd been here half an hourand all we had talked about was the opportunity she had for me when I returned to LA.
"All right, tell me everything. You called me over here, so spill it," Kate said, smiling.
The sunlight poured through the gigantic windows, warming us. "What do you want to know?"
"First, how did it go in LA?"
Sure, she had to start with that can of worms. "Well, everything is mine."
"Well, that is a good thing. So you have a home to go back to."
"I do, but I’m not sure I want to return to that condo. I think maybe I will get my own."
"Whatever makes you more comfortable, but it would be easier to just stay there." Kate took a sip of her coffee and looked at me over the rim of her cup.
"My suspicions were correct," I bit out.
"About?"