“Yeah.” I nodded, ignoring the memories those first days in town conjured up. “Quinn happened to have an opening when my last contract ended, so it was a little serendipitous.”
“Not to mention Mabel scored you that sweet place.” Addison waggled her brows. “How is it living in that mansion? Atlas’s house isgorgeous.”
“Oh, like you’re one to talk.” Quinn rolled her eyes. “Your former pro-hockey-playing husband literally built a secluded mountain lodge to your specifications.”
“Not because I asked him to!” She threw her hands in the air. “I didn’t even know about it when he was building it.”
“Exactly,” Quinn said.
“Addison’s not wrong, though,” Luna said, turning to me. “Itisa gorgeous house.”
That was undeniably true—I’d thought the same when I’d first seen it. But I’d had no idea just how much that gorgeoushouse would grow to feel like ahome. Or how bad it would hurt to have it ripped away.
I forced a smile, though I felt like doing anything but. “It was nice while it lasted, but I’m back in the cottage for now.”
“The cottage?” Quinn asked, her brows furrowed. “I thought it had to be completely redone. It’s not finished already, is it?” She narrowed her gaze on me, and I could practically see the gears working in her mind. “And why would you move back there anyway when you and Atlas are together?”
I shrugged, grateful as ever that Luna hadn’t skimped on the tequila, and took another sip of my margarita. “I’m not so sure we’re together anymore.”
“No,” Quinn said, her disappointment seeping through.
“Yeah,” I confirmed.
“Goddammit,” Addison said, slapping a hand down on her leg. “Why do theyalwaysfuck it up before they figure out how to fix it?”
“Seriously.” Luna shook her head. “Every time.”
“Yeah, well…” I downed the last of my margarita, already eager for another. “I’m not so sure he’s going to be able to fix this. Or even try to.”
“Men can be really stupid,” Luna said. “We all know this. But sometimes they pull out a win when you least expect it.”
Quinn nodded. “She’s right. I don’t know the ins and outs of your relationship, but I’ve seen how he looks at you. And I can safely say that man is head over heels. Don’t give up on him just yet.”
It was another version of what Laurel had already told me. I wanted their words to be true, desperately. Wanted to believe them, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Laurel had seen behind the act, but Quinn had only witnessed the show Atlas and I had put on. Everything we’d done in public had been pretend.
I offered Quinn a smile, not bothering to correct her assumption. Because what could I say?I’m devastated, butoh, by the way, the whole thing started as a lie. Yeah, I wasn’t going there. It would only lead to more questions I wasn’t prepared to answer. Didn’twantto answer. Because there was no way I could tell them what Atlas and I had was all fake without each of them seeing my pain.
They’d know exactly how hard I’d fallen for a man who’d just been waiting for me to leave.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
ATLAS
Alcohol hadn’t beenthe answer. Neither had baring my soul. And watching the woman I loved more than anything move back in to a construction zone hadn’t done much for me either.
It had been more than a week since Sutton had last been in my bed. Since I’d held her in my arms, kissed her, heard that soft, sultry laugh I loved so much. And I still wasn’t any closer to figuring out what the hell I needed to do.
The only thing this time apart had managed to solidify for me had been my worry that I wasn’t good enough—not just for Sutton, but Laurel too. Because they were a package deal, and I knew a thing or two about the effects of having a shitty father.
I’d never forgive myself if I messed up like that with Laurel.
She was a good kid, so much like her mom it had been bittersweet to have her staying over here while Sutton was in the half-finished cottage. But her being around had also given me purpose, something to focus on.
I went through the motions each day. I started my morning by trying and failing not to be a creep, the pull of glimpsing Sutton for the brief moment when she left for work too impossible to resist. Then I busied myself with whatever I could find—playing Daddy Grump taxi for Laurel, logging extra hoursat work, pushing myself as far as possible in the gym. All in the hopes that I could close my eyes without seeing Sutton’s stricken face when I’d told her this wasn’t real.
Unfortunately, none of it had worked.
“Seriously?” Laurel snapped, jerking me out of my thoughts.
