Page 98 of True Abandon

Eric shakes his head in confusion. “You have a boyfriend, but you agreed to dinner with me?”

“We’re broken up,” I reply quickly.

Kevin looks away and backs up. I open my mouth to further my explanation to Eric when I see Kevin, out the corner of my eye, walking away.

I move, fast on my feet. “Wait.” I grab his shirtsleeve and turn him around. “What are you doing here?”

His kind eyes have a blankness to them. “I’m here with work.” He points to his shirt and the label of our former boss’ new company. He looks over my shoulder, then adds, “I was hoping we could talk, but it looks like you already have plans.” He turns to head out the door, but I pull him back again.

“Wait here,” I demand. My hands are out like I’m telling a puppy to sit. “No. Don’t wait here, here. There’s a restaurant in the back. Grab a table, and I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.” Kevin and I didn’t exactly leave on the best of terms and the first time he sees me is with another man. The least I can do is sit with him and do some heavy explaining.

He shifts from one foot to the other while looking down at the floor. “Yeah,” he concedes.

I call over one of the bellboys and ask him to show Kevin to the Birds of Paradise restaurant. When he gives me a that’s-not-my-job expression, I widen my eyes. “Please!”

Sensing my urgency, he nods toward Kevin and walks him out the back door. I’m watching Kevin walk out the sliding doors when I realize Jax is gone. Eric on the other hand is staring at me with wild curiosity and disappointment. He turns on his heel and walks out the front door.

“Shit!” I rub a hand across my forehead.

I don’t know where to start. Jax? Eric? Kevin?

I settle for the easiest option and walk to the front desk toward an enthralled-looking Lani and Benji.

Lani’s mouth is agape. “Two ex-boyfriends and a prospect. I’m impressed.”

I lean my elbow on the desk and hang my head. My insides feel like they’re being squeezed like a dirty, wet mop. “It’s not like that. I didn’t know Kevin was going to just show up like this.”

Benji laughs. “Two men in one week travel across the country to see you? Girl must have a magic punani.”

“It must be the Ben Wa balls,” Lani adds.

“Ben Wa balls?” Benji inquires, way too interested for my taste.

“Out!” I demand with a pointed finger outstretched toward the backdoor, and he startles. “Sorry, but I need to speak with Lani. Alone.”

Seeing my obvious physical breakdown, he steps back. “Of course. I’ll just go park myself at the bar and watch the show.”

The sound of the sliders closing behind him gives me a reprieve. There are other people working the desk this afternoon, so Lani steps to the side to deal with me.

“What in the world just happened?” I can tell she wants to laugh but remains serious as she asks the question.

“My worlds just collided.”

“Well, at least you’re not worried about your appearance,” she deadpans. I look down at my ensemble. My dress has stains, bathing suit beneath is still damp, and my boots are muddy. I can only imagine what my hair looks like.

“That bad?” I ask.

She opens a drawer below her, takes out a mirror, and holds it up. My hair is down and messy with strands overlapping haphazardly. It’s a casualty of drying while wet. I don’t have on a stitch of makeup, and my skin is red from being out in the sun.

“Keep that look, and you’ll go from three suitors to none,” she jokes, and I groan.

I cross my arms and lay my head in my palm. “I made a mess of things.”

“How so?” she ponders.

“I just took things with Jax way too far this afternoon,” I start.

Lani’s eyes beam, but I hold up a finger.