Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Her eyes widened. “You’re breaking up with me?”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you never speak to me again. But I can’t continue to date you and have an emotional affair with someone else. Please believe me when I say I never saw this coming, and I would never have led you on if I’d suspected it. I believed she was getting married. I feel like a terrible person, but I’d feel worse if I wasn’t honest with you.”
Liv bent her head back, staring up at the ceiling. “I can’t believe this,” she whispered.
“You deserve better,” I said.
“You’re damn right I do.”
I felt numb. I hated myself at the moment, but there was no way to avoid needing this space.
Tears glistened in her eyes. “The sad part? If you come to me after this, I’ll probably consider taking you back, and I’m angry at myself for being weak.” She wiped her eyes. “As fucked up as it is, I agree that you need to get your shit together and figure things out with her once and for all. I’d rather this happen now than later, when I’ve invested even more time in our relationship.” She sniffled. “Because I was falling in love with you.”
“You’re amazing for understanding,” I said, unsure how else to respond to her admission. “I don’t think I’d handle it the same if the situation were reversed.”
“Just remember who was here for you when she threw you away,” Liv spewed. She dumped her coffee in the sink and turned to go.
“You don’t have to leave—”
“You just told me we’re breaking up. You think I’m gonna stay and have eggs?”
I hung my head. “I’m so fucking sorry, Liv.”
“Call me when she leaves. But don’t expect anything from me, because I’ll probably never trust you again.” She turned around one last time. “I hope you get what you want, whatever that is.”
This time, I let her walk away. You’d think I would’ve felt some relief. But my nerves kicked into overdrive. Primrose had given me no reason to believe she wouldn’t use this trip to put the final nail in our coffin. She’d gotten closer to her wedding date and panicked after seeing photos of me and Liv. Some kind of fucked-up FOMO. If reality set in, and she decided once again that the best thing was to keep her family intact, there was now a very good chance I’d end up alone.
CHAPTER 32
* * *
Primrose
Since the moment Dorian left, I’d done nothing but pace. The coffee Benjamin had brought me was ice cold by the time I took my first sip. Despite nuking it several times, I still hadn’t managed to finish it. Nothing seemed to settle in my stomach.
At least an hour had passed, and Dorian hadn’t come back. He might’ve been thinking better of further engaging with me. Why come back and deal with me and my baggage when he had a beautiful, blonde girlfriend waiting at the mansion? I imagined them enjoying their eggs while he thought about how to let me down easy. Over easy. Probably like their eggs.
Then again, that wasn’t the Dorian I knew. He’d seemed pained to see me.
I was still pacing when the door opened, and Dorian again stood before me. He looked incredibly handsome in gray track pants and a fitted T-shirt. His hair was wet from the shower, and the sight of him, along with his familiar smell, caused my nipples to stiffen.
“You came back…”
“Did you really doubt that I would?”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.”
Dorian stepped toward me. “I need to set the record straight.”
My stomach sank. His demeanor wasn’t exactly warm. Oh no. Pushing my shoulders back, I gulped and prepared for the worst. “Okay…”
“Obviously I wasn’t expecting this. So bear with me if I’m still processing.” He exhaled. “I made a decision that might seem rash, but I feel it’s for the best right now.”
Every muscle in my body tightened as I closed my eyes. In my head, I was already on my way home.
“I broke up with Liv.”
My eyes flashed open. “What?”
“The moment you walked back into my life today, all the things I felt when I last saw you came flooding back. I need the space to work through this while you’re here.”
“That was the last thing I expected you to say,” I admitted, letting out a relieved breath.
“This doesn’t mean I have confidence, Primrose. I don’t feel I can trust that you won’t go back to him and continue on with your life once you leave.”
I smiled sadly, opting not to try to convince him. It would be actions, not words, that made a difference.
“Something changed in me when after everything, you chose him,” Dorian said. “And even though I understand, it took away a level of trust I had in us that I’m not sure I can get back.”