I’m ruining the best thing that’s happened to Chloe and me in years.
But not doing it would be worse, would be more dangerous because it’s a ticking time bomb I can’t afford tonotdefuse.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
Not doing it means watching Chloe skip right toward heartbreak while pretending I can’t see it coming.
So in my quiet bedroom, with the woman I love all around me…
I make a choice.
This has to end.
Before it goes any further.
Before she leaves.
Before the loss gets bigger.
Even if, as I force myself to walk downstairs, I know one thing with terrible certainty?—
This is going to destroy her.
And me.
Thirty-Three
Finn
I hearRhodes’s quiet footsteps on the stairs and expect him to come into the family room.
It’s popcorn and movie (I even planned on letting him pick for once) and cocktail time.
But when long minutes go by without him appearing, I go in search of him.
He’s not in the kitchen or the laundry room. And he didn’t go back upstairs to check on Chloe (she’s sprawled out on her bed, snoring away). He’s not in his bedroom either.
I frown but take the opportunity to change into my pajamas and wash off my leftover sunscreen.
Then I snag my planner.
I want to show Rhodes something I’ve been working on.
Because I have a surprise.
A good one.
Hopefully.
The drinks and popcorn are untouched in the family room and the TV is still off, but when I start for the kitchen I realize a light is on down the hall.
His office.
Right.
Rhodes doesn’t spend much time in it. He prefers to hang with Chloe.
And me, I think with a smile.
