Bruno.
My eyes flew open, and my heart raced. I turned to the side and found him peacefully asleep next to me. Panic rushed through me, and I shot upright and pushed his shoulder firmly.
"Get up."
Startled, Bruno blinked and rubbed his head. "Why did you do that?"
That's what he was worried about? The last thing I recalled was him paying the bill and me chatting up the bartender. The rest was really a blur.
"Tell me we didn't sleep…" he muttered, eyes darting to the sheets.
I looked at him in disbelief; I was naked, and so was he. It didn't take a genius to put two and two together.
"All I remember is coming back to the table to try speaking with you again. We might have had a few more drinks."
"Get out."
Bruno's eyes widened as he lifted his palms. "Wait?—"
"Out," I repeated, dragging the sheet tighter around me as I rushed from the bed.
I shoved him toward the door with one hand, clutching the sheet with the other. My cheeks burned hotter than the sun pushing through the curtains.
"Alex, let's just talk about this like adults."
"Just go," I hissed, heart pounding with a mix of panic and shame I couldn't begin to untangle.
He scrambled for his pants and shoes as I shoved a half-naked Bruno out of the room, slammed the door, and tried to steady myself. I had been in all kinds of situations, but this one was new, even for me. Sleeping with a man and not remembering it. And of all the men in California, I had to go and fall into bed with BRUNO?
I feel sick to my stomach.
Bruno, the same man I'd promised never to touch again. I once swore if he needed a drop of spit from me, I'd let him die. Now I had slept with him.
Before my head exploded with thoughts, I hurried to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, splashed water on my face, and decided to go for a jog. I had to get out. Just looking at the messy sheets that smelled of sweat and Bruno's cologne made me uneasy.
Minutes later, I was outside, running hard despite the hangover, hoping the pounding of my feet and the Los Angeles sun would burn away the disappointment and confusion. Two miles in, my mind was still stuck on last night. My lungs burned, sweat drenched my back, and sneakers struck the pavement like they wanted punishment. If I ran hard enough, maybe I could erase it.
After a while, I made a U-turn and dragged my tired legs back to the hotel.
The sun seemed to mock me, shining straight into my eyes. I raised a hand to block it just as my phone rang. I wasn't in the mood to talk but checked because, after all, I had a company that would launch any day now. When I saw Demetria's name, I shook my head. She'd have a field day with this one.
"Hey."
"I saw you on a few news shows out here. You looked fabulous," she said.
Rather than wait until I saw her again and stumble through this awful confession in person, I decided to just get it over with. I could use the scolding I deserved. "I slept with Bruno."
Silence.
"Did you hear me?"
The sun beat down, heating the concrete while I walked with the phone against my ear.
Cars whipped past in blurs of chrome and noise.
Finally, Demetria spoke. "So, what does this mean? Are you two back together?"
"Hell no!" I yelled, too loud.
