“Yeah, man. Go get your girl.”
I take off running toward his running vehicle.
I only hope Loren is still there when I get back home.
CHAPTER 49
LOREN
Boyfriend
I’m so sorry
I fightwith myself the whole way home. This whole situation is such a conundrum, isn’t it? On one hand, I understand why Elliott lied: To protect himself. On the other, if he truly trusted and cared for me, he would’ve respected me enough to tell me the whole truth. It’s the least I deserved.
He told you the whole truth eventually.
Did he though? How do I know that in six months’ time he won’t come to me with another monumental secret that shakes the foundation of our relationship?
The problem is, Iwantto forgive Elliott, so I’ll end up twisting the story in his favor and offering excuses he might not deserve. Look at what happened with Josh.
Except Josh was a ratbag.
And even though Elliott lied, I don’t think he’s a ratbag.
I still think he’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever met.
But as I sit in the parking lot, staring up at the windows of our apartment, I’m not sure I can go inside because all I’ll end up doing is thinking abouthim.
Is he only with me because it’s convenient? Because he can mosey down the hallway to my room any time he wants? Is this whole relationship solely based on proximity?
I reverse out of the space and call my best friend. Meg, the angel that she is, answers on the first ring. “Hey, babe. How’s the reunion?”
“I don’t know. I left.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I just met Elliott’s ex-wife.”
“Holy shit. Elliott was married?”
“Yup. Can I come over? I need to talk to someone.”
“I’m just headed over to the house to meet the inspector. I’ll send you the address and meet you there.”
Ten minutes later, I’m pulling in behind Meg’s tiny hatchback. “So this is the place.” It’s smaller than in the pictures, but still one of the cutest houses I’ve ever seen. With a coat of fresh paint, the blue-gray paneling on the craftsman home will look brand-spanking-new. And there are even window boxes. Man, I love window boxes.
Her long ponytail swings when she twists back toward the house. “This is the place. Three bedrooms all to myself…Unless you have any interest in moving in.”
It would be super convenient being this close to work, but the thought of moving out makes me sick to my stomach. I wouldn’t do that to Elliott. He’s already been through enough trauma with his ex-girlfriend—I mean ex-wife.
“If I ever need a place, I’ll let you know.” At least I have options now. Who knows? Maybe Elliott will come back from the reunion and tell me he’s fallen for his wife again.
Oh, no.
I think I might puke.
“Meg?” a familiar voice calls from the house.
