Page 53 of Forever Home

After a moment of silence, Sam clears her throat. My eyes drift towards her to catch a glimpse of the uncertainty in her eyes as she stands to her feet, Kylie following behind her. “Well, we have to get going. Kylie promised me that she was going to show me her latest work for my new office. Isn’t that right, Kylie?”

“Mhm,” Kylie quickly stammered. “You two have fun, we can catch up later!”

There’s no painting or anything of that nature. The two of them are purposely leaving me alone with him.Traitors.

“Madison—”

“Don’t,” I snap, cutting him off. “Don’t say whatever it is you’re going to say. You ghosted me while you were gone. You made promises, and you fucking broke them.”

His eyes narrow as he steps forward, clenching his fist at his side. “It isn’t like that, Madison. Will you just let me explain? I came to apologize.”

“For being an asshole? Well, that wouldn’t be the first time you’ve done that.”

Was I going a bit overboard? Perhaps. But honestly, can he blame me? He blew me off for months after making promises to me about us staying in contact and he couldn’t even send a one word text to let me knowhe was okay. Hell, the only reason I knew he was alive was because my messages sent to him were left on read.

“Madison,” he says once more, stepping forward slowly. “I’m sorry. You’re absolutely right. I could have texted… Hell, I could have found time to call. And I didn’t.”

“No, you didn’t…”

Taking my hand into his, he stares down at me with the same mesmerizing hazel eyes I remember from when we were younger. Their gaze causes a stir of emotions to swell within me as he opens his mouth once more. “I let my work get in the way of us. And that’s not an excuse. I don’t want you to be mad at me, Madi. Please forgive me?”

As much as I want to say no, I can’t. Not to Jaxson.

“It’s fine,” I mutter through gritted teeth letting out a heavy breath. “I have to get ready to go.”

“Go?” he asks as I grab my bag and make my way upstairs to my apartment to change into my outfit for tonight, Jaxson right on my heels “Where are you going?”

As much as he might want an explanation, he isn’t getting one. Our relationship is purely friendship and business related. That was made very clear quite some time ago.

I head to my bathroom, slamming the door in Jaxson’s face, before slipping out of my work clothes. I pull out the little red dress from my closet. My fingers work it over the curves of my body, as it fits me like a glove.

As much as I love expensive things, I’ve never really seen a need to pay a fortune. Especially when I can get something expensive offline, second-hand. And for a fraction of the cost.

God, for fifteen dollars, this was a steal. I’m so getting laid.

Taking a glimpse in the mirror, I turn from side to side, admiring myself. My hands slip up into my hair as I pull it from the confines of my hair tie, letting my locks fall down over my shoulders in loose waves. I don’t look like the hotties in New York with their million-dollar outfits and flawless makeup. But I feel sexy nonetheless.

Reaching back into my closet, I grab my purse and I slip on my black three-inch heels before exiting my bedroom. I don’t miss how Jaxson’seyes go wide the moment he sees me. Or how his lips part before snapping shut.

“Where are you going dressed like that?”

I raise a brow, as I stop before him. “Excuse me?”

“I said—” But I stop him short with my hand held up.

“Oh, no… I heard what you said Jaxson. But what I don’t understand is why you’re asking.”

His lip curls back with clear irritation as his eyes narrow. “You’re dressed like you’re going to the club, Madi. And the last I checked, there aren’t clubs around here like that. So, where are you going?”

I don’t have the slightest clue what’s gotten into him or why he thinks he can just walk in here and demand to know why I’m wearing what I am or where I’m going as if he is responsible for me or something of that nature. “I’m going out, Jaxson.”

I step around him, my feet moving me towards the door as he steps in front of me again.

“With who?”

Are you fucking serious right now?

Letting out an irritated sigh, I frown. “It’s none of your business. Now, move.” I bypass Jaxson before heading back downstairs to the bakery.

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