He sets the croissant down, wipes his hands with a napkin, and stares out the window like maybe if he tries hard enough, he’ll teleport right out of here.
This is ridiculous.I grab a napkin and wipe up the spilled latte, trying to steady myself with a deep breath.
He finally looks back to me. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
I let the soiled napkin drop. “But you did.”
He looks at me, and for a moment, he almost seems repentant. “Are you going to tell people?”
I nearly choke. “Tell themwhat? That you’re a selfish asshole? I think they already know. Oh, wait, maybe they don’t? Because everyone seems to think you’re just the greatest guy, ever. But really, you’re just trying to shmooze your way into any vagina that will have you.”
He laughs, and I want to punch him. “C’mon, Maddy. You’re not perfect either. You’re always so distant. Like you never trusted me. That’s not exactly a turn-on, you know?”
The line lands like a slap to the face. “I was trying to survive. Sorry if I didn’t make it sexy enough for you. This has been a super hard year of trying to figure out where I fit, all while having a relationship with someone whoobviouslydoesn’t want to commit.”
His nostrils flare, and then he lifts his fist, like he might slam it onto the tabletop. However, he manages to find some restraint hedidn’thave last night. “Look, can we just—can we try to be friends? I don’t want to lose that.”
Fuck no.
I scoot violently out of the booth. “You lost it, Wes.Youthrew it away.” I stand, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “We’re done. I deserve better than someone who cheats on me and then can’t even properly apologize.”
He stares at me, genuinely stunned. For a second, I think he might cry, but he just sits there, mouth open, as if he’s completely devoid of a fucking brain.
Because he probably is.
I walk past people who are staring up at me, trying to ignore the ache in my legs and the twist in my stomach, knowing they probably heard the whole thing—and got a kick out of it. Outside, I push through the door and into the sunlight. I stand for a second on the sidewalk, letting the air fill my lungs with fresh, Wes-free oxygen.
I pull out my phone, delete Wes’s number, call Riley, and keep walking.
“Okay, so you didn’t murder him, right?” Riley answers, already having heard the entire story about Wes and Ellie earlier.
“No crimes were committed,” I say, brushing some hair out of my face. “I didn’t tell him about what I did afterward, either.”
“It was over, and you had a random hookup with some guy that you’re never going to see again.” Riley sounds like she’s eating something on the other line. “It’s none of his damn business what you do with your life now.”
My lips twist. “You don’t think it’s icky?”
“Not at all,” Riley laughs. “I think it’s great revenge. Are you coming over? I don’t want you going home and eating ice cream all alone.”
I grin, feeling relief roll through my shoulders. “I was hoping that you could help me search for a new job. Now that I definitely won’t be moving in with Wes, I’m going to have to figuresomethingout.”
“Well, worst case scenario, we can somehow make my studio apartment work for the both of us.” Riley giggles, but the thought sends a shockwave of nerves through my body.
I can’t imagine trying to share Riley’stinyspace.
“I’ll be there in like fifteen minutes,” I force my voice to sound light, as my hangover pounds in my head.
I spend the rest of the walk lost in the seriously satisfying hookup. Maybe it’s just the simple fact that I was desperate, but also…
Beck was incredible.
Which is why he gets laid all the time,I rationalize with myself.And for all I know, he might be exactly like Wes.
I pick up my pace and make it to Riley’s apartment in less than ten minutes.
“You look like shit,” Riley says as soon as she opens the door. “I mean, I knew it was bad, but notthisbad.”
“It’s bad,” I sigh.
