Page 105 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

He wasn’t there and I’m annoyed at myself for wishing he was. He said he wouldn’t reach for me, but I’m so selfish I want him to.

I haven’t seen him go out on the water. I thought he’d be out there every chance he got now that I’m not taking up time in his life. But my texts have been silent.

I was angry in class, and while I might have appeared calm on the surface, I was raging on the inside. I couldn’t keep my mind centered. I pushed myself harder than I needed. If I’m not dating, then I need to focus my attention on my business and my yoga practice. I have goals—I should be pushing toward them with every second I have.

At the end of the practice, I should have been loose, but I held tension everywhere in my body. The instructor guided us to half-split pose, and offered up the modification that anyone who had a splits practice could move into that expression.

I’ve been able to do the splits for a long time. It’s the way my body works with how my hips are formed and the way my tendons connect everything. My hips touch the ground and I lean forward over my front leg, searching for any type ofsensation. I want my body to hurt so I can drown out the pain in my heart and in my head. I know better, but I move deeper than I should. The rules I give my students don’t apply to me.

After class, I wince. I stretched too far and now I feel a dull ache at the top of my right hamstring.

I shower in one of the studio’s changing rooms. Normally, I go home to refresh. But I’m avoiding my house. I knew this would happen with Orion. But I don’t get credit for being right.

I’m in my office, finishing up my makeup, when I hear Mackenzie.

“Mr. Kane, so good to see you. I didn’t know you were coming in today.”

I freeze. There’s no fucking way Hamilton is here.

“I’m in town for the wedding. I have a call scheduled with Carina. We might as well do it in person.”

His voice and arrogance are unmistakable. And of course, he thinks the wedding is still happening.

“Oh, that’s great…” Mackenzie starts as I step out of my office.

“Hamilton, come in,” I say in my most pleasant voice. Orion would be so disappointed in me. At least I didn’t call him Mr. Kane.

My ex smiles at me. We haven’t been in the same room together in at least a year. Work communications were long ago relegated to video conferences and the phone. I understand he’s an attractive man in his dark tailored suit and his perfectly styled hair. None of it matters to me.

It’s so out of place in Florida.

“Carina, good to see you.”

He steps into my office and I close the door behind him. I gesture for him to sit. My stomach clenches as I remember Orion sitting in the same chair after the fabrics news broke.

Orion brought me dinner. Hamilton could at least bring me coffee if he is angling for something with me. I have to assume that’s part of the reason he’s here in person.

He doesn’t sit, but instead reaches for my waist.

I jerk away. “Don’t touch me.”

“I’m saying hello. No need to be jumpy.”

“Do you touch your male CEOs like that?” I ask, sitting down in my chair.

He chuckles but sits across from me. “I haven’t dated any of the other CEOs I work with. Don’t pretend your relationship with the Webb Group is standard. You know you get special treatment.”

I grind my teeth. I understand the implication—my business wouldn’t get funded if my dad wasn’t in charge. It’s a pet project. A favor. “What are you doing in town anyway? The wedding is canceled.”

“We’ll see.”

“I spent my entire Saturday canceling the vendors. The only way Sienna and Beckett get married is if they go to the courthouse. And I will absolutely stand up and object.”

His eyes narrow on me. I dated this man for years. I know him inside and out. He has a terrible poker face.

“You wouldn’t.” He says it with absolute certainty. Likeheknowsmeinside and out.

But he doesn’t. It’s only Orion who knows me.

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