Page 59 of Where You Left Me

Mia glances back and forth between me and Cammie, ultimately giving in and joining Cammie and my heart lurches in my chest.

I watch her walk away from me, a lump in my throat. How am I going to recover from this? In a matter of seconds, Mia witnessed me getting jealous over an ex-girlfriend while also learning just how much of a man-whore I’ve been since she left.

Cammie always warned me it would come back to bite me in the ass. I just never expected it would be Mia who was doing the biting.

CHAPTER 16

Mia

Fuckbuddy

Need to blow off some steam. You around?

Me

Sorry. I’m in Colorado.

Fuckbuddy

Colorado? What the hell for?

Me

Remember my dad had a stroke? I’m helping him at his store.

Fuckbuddy

Oh shit. That’s right. How’s he doing?

Me

Good. But I’ll be here all summer.

Fuckbuddy

Fuck.

Googling flights to Colorado.

Jones has been avoiding me for the last half hour. It’s probably in his best interest. My mind is buzzing with ludicrous thoughts. Jones with another woman.Women.

I’m not naïve. Jones is insanely hot. And I’ve been gone a long time. It’s not as if I thought he saved himself for me until I came back. But did I have this silly daydream that he did? A little.

The image of Jones naked with another woman causes a fiery rage to burn inside me. Another woman riding his cock. Another woman grazing her hand over the Aster tattoo on his chest. The whole idea of it makes my stomach sick.

I play a round of cornhole with Nico while Rosie waits for Ben to make our margaritas. It’s fun and it gives me a chance to get to know Nico. I can see why Rosie fell for him. Not only is he sweet and muscled, but he’s also a charmer with that sexy Southern accent.

Nico is telling me about his family’s ranch in Texas and how his best friend is currently running it despite having his own family farm to tend to. I bend to pick up my beanbags and when I straighten, I catch Jones’s stare on me. My face flushes, but I look away. If he’s jealous again, I don’t much care.

“That must be tough on your friend,” I say to Nico as the two of us head toward our friends surrounding the outdoor bar.

“It was supposed to be temporary. Ya know, while I figured out what my plan was here…with Rosie,” Nico replies, his gaze falling on Rosie with warmth. “But looks like we need to come up with a different plan. My little sister, Amelia can’t handle it on her own.”

“So that’s it, you’re just not going back?”

He’s still staring at Rosie as he says, “What do I need to go back to? Everything I need is right here.”

His response is so pure. It causes my heart to swell. But also makes my head race. I love Jones, I’ve always loved Jones. But I don’t know if I can just leave my life behind in Connecticut. I have friends and a job.

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