Page 208 of Back in the Saddle

“I’m sure,” I agreed.

“Unfortunately, she took it to a place where there was no other choice,” he stated.

“Yes,” I agreed again. “She one hundred percent did that.”

“And it fucks me to lose my cool like that,” he went on.

I knew it.

That wasn’t him.

Really, totally,such a good guy.

“She took it to that place too,” I reminded him.

“It still fucks me.”

My poor guy.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I said gently.

“Let’s just hope it’s over,” he muttered.

I could do that with him, definitely.

“Does she spray tan?” I asked with curiosity since that didn’t seem like his gig.

He shook his head. “No clue. She didn’t when we were together.”

“She certainly came decked out,” I remarked. “Her eyeliner looked done by a professional.”

“It probably was. She never wore makeup when we were together. She didn’t have the time, and she’d sweat it off in the kitchen at the restaurant if she did.”

So that was a big play coming from her.

I’d feel badly for her if she wasn’t batshit crazy.

Now to get to the meat of it.

“You’d leave her for me?”

He shook his head again, but said, “This is one of the things I’m struggling with. I didn’t think I was that man. And as amazing as you are, it wouldn’t even occur to me if she was who she pretended to be in the beginning. Since she isn’t that person, absolutely.”

“You shouldn’t struggle with it,” I told him. “We didn’t meet while you two were together.”

“I know that, honey. But even if we did, I also know I’d end it with her so I could have you.”

Ummmmmmmmm…

That made my gooey feeling hit such an overdrive, it was a wonder I wasn’t a melted pile of Jess oozing across the floor.

“Wow,” I whispered.

His brows drew down. “I thought we understood each other.”

“Well, just to say, if by understanding each other you mean my telling you that I may have looked at black wedding dresses while researching the best way to fry a hamburger yesterday, and that doesn’t freak you way the fuck out, then yes.”

I wasn’t quite finished talking, but since he’d started stalking, I didn’t say more and instead started backing up.

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