I press my lips together, hating that he’s right. Right on cue, my phone buzzes in my bag, saving me from having to reply. I pull it out and see a message from Mick.
Mick:Everything okay?
Biting my lip, I type back, hoping he won’t give me a hard time or overanalyze things, because I just don’t have the energy to deal with two jerks at once.
Me:Fine. Will be spending the night here. I’ll be home tomorrow.
His reply comes immediately.
Mick:Wow, straight to the ex-husband’s bed after just one meeting? Told you you’d lose your panties.
I roll my eyes, the corners of my mouth twitching against my will.
Me:Well, don’t let that dirty brain of yours do all the thinking. I’m just here for closure.
Mick:Is that what we’re calling it now? Closure… in bed?
God, even through texts, he knows exactly how to annoy me.
Me:Will you stop? Look, I know that I’m dropping this on you at the last minute, but you can take care.
My heart skips a beat at the thought of the responsibility he’ll have to shoulder for me tonight.
Mick:You know I always will. Relax, I’ve got this.
I let out a relieved smile and type back.
Me:I owe you.
Slipping my phone back into my bag, I look up to find Landon’s eyes narrowing at me.
“Who was that?”
“My roommate, Mick. I had to tell him that I won’t be coming home tonight.”
“Mick?” His tone shifts, just enough for me to catch the steel in his voice.
I swallow the sudden rush of irritation before replying. “Really, Landon? You don’t have the right to question me.”
His eyes blaze with a mix of frustration and something darker. “You are my wife, Anna. Hell, I have every right to question if it’s another man you’re staying with.”
“Your ex-wife, you mean.”
I meet his eyes, fire flashing beneath my calm. “And look at you, questioning me. I bet you haven’t exactly been a saint since our divorce.”
In a heartbeat, he closes the distance, his hand capturing mine as he pulls me to my feet and draws me against his body.
“You fucking know how it kills me, the very thought of you with another man,” he growls.
“You’re hurting me, Landon,” I whisper, struggling to free myself from his hold.
He blinks as if coming to his senses and releases my arm instantly. He run his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“I’m sorry, Anna. I… I just... I shouldn’t have reacted that way.” His voice breaks. “It’s just… you.”
I know I shouldn’t let his anxiety get to me. I shouldn’t feel the need to soothe him, not after all the pain he’s put me through. And yet the words spill out before I can stop them.
“Mick’s gay. We’re just friends. Roommates, nothing more.” I look down at my feet, bracing myself to confess the truth that will lay bare my weakness. “There hasn’t been anyone else. I haven’t found it in me to trust another man since you.”
