“I have no idea.”
Nathan weaves through the crowd toward us, and I catch Danny notice, his expression shifting from cheerful host to protective landlord in an instant. But before he can intercept, Nathan reaches me.
“Molly, can we talk?” He glances at Sophie. “Alone?”
“No,” Sophie says firmly, which is possibly the most assertive I’ve ever heard her be.
“It’s okay,” I tell her, even though every instinct is screaming at me to walk away. Sophie gives a small nod, glaring at Nathan as she steps off to the side, staying close despite my okay. I turn back to the unwelcome guest. “What do you want, Nathan?”
His gaze flicks from side to side along with his feet, and I recognize the gesture—it’s what he does when he’s anxious. “I need to explain about yesterday. About…Cindy.”
“There’s nothing to explain. You proposed, she said yes, congratulations.” The words come out sharp and bitter, but I’m not. I don’t care if he’s moved on. I realized a while ago we weren’t meant to be. “Now please leave.”
“That’s the thing.” He steps closer, lowering his voice. “She didn’t say yes. She didn’t say anything, because…she doesn’t exist.”
I blink. “What?”
“Cindy. She’s, uh, not real. I was—” He winces. “I was catfished. For the last six months. I drove three hours to that restaurant to propose, and she never showed. I waited for an hour before I finally tried calling, and the number was disconnected. Her social media accounts, everything—gone.”
For a moment, I just stare at him.
Then I start laughing, and I can’t stop even though it’s not really funny. It’s sad and pathetic and somehow a perfect closer to this coldhearted breakup.
“You’re telling me,” I manage between laughs, “that you broke up withmefor someone who doesn’texist?”
“I know how it sounds.”
“Do you?” My laughter dies. “Because it sounds like you threw away two years for a fantasy. And now you’re here, on Valentine’s Day, atmybuilding, telling me this…why exactly?”
“Because I made a mistake.” He reaches for my hand, but I pull away. “Molly, I know I hurt you. But these past few months without you, I’ve realized—”
“Stop.” My voice is steady now, all laughter ceased. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to come here and act like we can just pick up where we left off because your imaginary girlfriend didn’t work out.”
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying, I miss you. I miss us. And I thought maybe if I explained…”
“That you’re a fool? I already knew that, Nathan.” I set my drink down before I’m tempted to throw it at him. “You need to leave.”
“Molly, please.”
“No.”
Nathan ignores me, stepping closer. “Just give me five minutes. Let me—”
“Is this guy bothering you?”
The voice is deep, rough, familiar, and sends electricity down my spine.
I spin, and there he is.
Luke.
He’s standing behind me, and his gaze is…dangerous. His jaw is clenched, his green eyes are dark and focused on Nathan like a predator sizing up prey. He’s still in his work clothes and his hands are curled into fists at his sides.
“Who are you?” Nathan asks, puffing up slightly in that way men do when they feel threatened. Though, on my computer-tech-never-been-to-the-gym ex, it’s rather… Humorous? Insulting? A massive turn off compared to the protective stance of 402?
Luke doesn’t answer him. His eyes find mine instead. “Molly?”
My name. A question. But the way he says it, like my answer actually matters, like he’ll do whatever I need him to do—makes my throat tight.
