and he’s telling me it was always mine.
Mind. Blown.
“I didn’t know.”
“I see that now. I didn’t realize you were operating under that stupid assumption. I guess that’s the
issue with all of us, isn’t it? We assume when we should just talk it the fuck out.” He scowls down at
the table.
“Christ. I’ve been doing the same damn thing with Maya,” I say, realization dawning. “Maybe I
should just talk to her.”
“Brilliant idea,” he says, sounding distracted. He’s staring off at the corner of the bar. I follow his
gaze and see a sultry brunette giving him eyes.
“You going there?” He’s selective. The man has a dick and obviously uses it, but I almost never
see him with a woman.
He drops his gaze, staring down at the bottom of his empty glass. “Nah, I don’t think so. That kind
of thing is losing its appeal.”
“Yeah, it is.” I press my lips together, thinking of all those nights, all those women. “I wish I could
wash it all away and be…new for her. Instead of the jaded ass I actually am.”
His massive chest expands with his deep breath. “There’s no point in wishing the past away. I
know. Better to work for the future you want.”
“But that’s just it. I don’t know what I want.” I want more Maya. But I don’t actually know
everything that goes along with that.
“Do you really have to figure that out right now? Why are you putting so much pressure on this?
On her? Is it fair to her to be making decisions about your future, before you’ve even taken her on a
fucking date?”
“When you put it like that, it sounds a little dumb,” I admit. This is what I do. I plan, I strategize. I
figure out how to get what we want. And usually, I’m totally fine with manipulating anyone who’s in
my way. But he’s right, it’s not fair to treat Maya that way.
“Has anything Maya said or done led you to believe she’s on the hunt for a husband?”
I strain my slightly scotch-soaked brain. “Not really.”
He taps the table with his knuckles. “Then talk with her. Tell her what you feel and what you want
to do about it. Let her make up her own mind.”
