“Yeah, sure.”
I swallowed hard as I walked inside my parents’ house. Connor had been here a hundred times before, yet the formality, the not touching him, was so messed up. He blew into his hands before hanging his coat on the rack and facing me.
I couldn’t take it anymore. He hadn’t explained his appearance, and I had to know.
“What are you doing here? Why come here?”
His eyes warmed. “To see you, to talk to you.”
My breath caught in my throat at his admission, but it was too late. Too damn late.
I dug my nails into my palm, needing the sting to ground me. “Why are you doing this? I told you what I want, and you’re disrespecting it,” I snapped, unable to steady my own voice.
“I don’t consider this disrespect,” he said, his tone low. “This is me fighting for you because, baby, I haven’t gone this long without holding you, and it’s killing me. I know it has to be hurting you too.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“I’m not happy about any of this, Connor, but just becauseit hurts doesn’t mean it’s not the right choice.” I wrapped my arms around myself, needing the barrier. He stepped toward me and placed his large hands on my shoulders, the familiar warmth settling over me like my favorite sweatshirt. My muscles tensed once my brain caught up to the physical touch.
He winced and quickly lifted his hands. “Can I touch you?”
Instead of answering, I moved toward the kitchen. “Can I get you a coffee or something? I think it’s still fresh for Dad. I’m sure you haven’t been sleeping.”
He sighed. It almost sounded like relief.
“I’d love a coffee. Thanks, Laney.”
Ugh. Hearing him say my name shouldn’t cause an avalanche of feelings in my gut, but it did.
“My parents don’t have oat milk, I’m sorry.”
“Hon—Laney, that’s okay. I’ll take it black.”
“We might have regular milk or cinnamon. I know you like that when it gets cold outside.” Oh my God. My nerves had gotten the best of me, and I was rambling. “I didn’t know you were coming. Obviously. I didn’t prepare for you. But why would I? Why are you here? Wait, the cyber event!” I spun and leaned against the counter, finding him staring at me with a small smile.
That barely there grin paired with his dimples was a wildly dangerous combination. No. Don’t look at him. Focus on the coffee.
“You’re so fucking cute when you ramble like that. I love your stream of consciousness.”
“No, you don’t,” I blurted out. My face heated as a very clear memory came to the surface. The previous me wouldn’t have said anything because work mattered so much to Connor. Now though? It didn’t matter.
“When we were at the party last spring, you excused us after I went on a rambling story about my trip to Texas. You said, ‘She gets so chatty when she has a drink. Excuse us,’ to the board member. Then you pulled me away and blocked me from talking to any other board member the entire night, like I’m embarrassing to you.”
My chest ached like someone had squeezed all the air out of my lungs. I couldn’t catch my breath as I stared at my future ex-husband. His mouth fell open, and I swore he paled, matching the eggshell walls in the kitchen. I knew every expression of his, but this one was new.
Shock, maybe?
“Laney,” he rasped, shaking his head and placing his palms flat on the table. He stood, his tortured gaze zeroing in on me. “That’s… that’s not what happened. Is that what you thought?”
My throat dried up. My palms sweated.
Buzz. Buzz.
Thank goodness. Glancing at my smartwatch, I saw my mom’s name pop up, saving me from answering this confusing question. I needed a break. I quickly picked up my phone. “Hi, Mom, what’s up?”
“Laney.” She used her serious voice. “I wanted to give you a heads-up. We have someone renting the house next to us.”
“Okay.” I bit my lip, avoiding Connor’s piercing stare. “Why are you telling me?”
