It was ironic, really. She had accused me of hitting it off with the baker, yet here she was, practically glowing under Lucas’s attention.
Sometime between Jasper and Lucas’s second and third drinks, Lucas casually placed his hand on Natalie’s arm whilemaking some joke. It was subtle, but it set me off. My jaw clenched so hard I thought I might crack a tooth.
Natalie noticed and brushed his hand off lightly, laughing, but I couldn’t tell if she was uncomfortable or if she liked it.
Eventually, Natalie glanced at her phone and announced, “I have to pick up my kids soon.”
That was my cue. “I should head back to work,” I said, standing abruptly.
Jasper smiled warmly and shook Natalie’s hand. “It was so nice to meet you,” he said politely, his tone friendly. He didn’t bother me as much as his friend did.
Then Lucas asked, “Can I walk you to your car?”
Natalie shook her head. “Actually, Will drove me here. My car’s back at The City Center.”
Lucas kissed her cheeks and smiled, his gaze lingering a little too long. “Looking forward to Friday,” he said.
Friday? What the hell was happening on Friday?
I stayed quiet as we walked back to my car. My thoughts raced as I replayed the interaction. By the time we got to her car at The City Center, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Natalie was about to open the door when I snapped, “Are you going out with that guy?”
She froze, turning to face me. “Well… sort of,” she admitted. “He asked me to dinner in Laguna.”
“When did he ask you? Before or after I fucked you the other day?”
Her face reddened. “Will, you’re dating someone. I’m sorry for our… slip-up the other day.”
“It won’t happen again,” I said coldly, even though the words stung me as much as they hurt her.
I saw tears start to roll down her face, and my heart twisted. All I wanted to do was pull her close, kiss her, and tell her to be with me. That I’d choose her over anyone.
But instead, I kept my face blank. She got out of my car and into hers without another word. I drove off, feeling like an absolute asshole.
That evening, Blake was coming over. I wasn’t in the mood, but I’d already canceled on her too many times this week.
She showed up looking flawless, as always, her hair smooth and glossy, her makeup perfectly done. She carried a bag of groceries in one hand and a small duffel bag in the other.
Blake insisted on making dinner, chicken piccata, a recipe passed down from her great-grandmother. It smelled amazing, and I couldn’t deny that she had a talent for making everything look perfectly curated.
We ate at the dining table, chatting about her day and her plans for the weekend. I nodded and made polite conversation, but my mind was elsewhere. I kept glancing at my phone, half-hoping Natalie would text me even though I knew she wouldn’t.
Blake noticed. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, just work stuff,” I lied, offering a small smile.
After dinner, we moved to the couch to watch a movie. Blake stretched out, draping her long legs over mine. She started tracing slow circles on my chest with her fingers before kissing my neck. Her hand trailed lower, brushing over the top of my pants.
I decided I wasn’t going to stop her. I needed to let this woman in, to give her the chance she deserved.
I turned toward her and kissed her back, hard. Her skin was smooth under my hands, her perfume was making me a little dazed. I wanted to feel that spark, that magnetic pull I felt with Natalie, but it wasn’t her. Still, it felt nice.
Blake’s breathing grew heavier as I slid my hand between her legs. She was more than ready. Her hands were all over me, pulling me closer, her mouth hot against my neck.
I pressed her back against the couch, my lips finding hers again. She tasted like wine and something desperate, something that matched my own need to forget. To feel anything but the hollow ache Natalie had left behind.
Blake’s fingers tugged at my shirt, dragging it over my head before her hands skimmed down my chest. Her eyes gleamed, her mouth curving into a smile that looked more like triumph than desire. I decided to lead Blake upstairs to my room.
