Page 24 of Just Trouble

He casts a look over it. “It’s a great kitchen. I like the tiles.”

“Me, too.” I smile at him. “I brought them back from Mexico a few years ago. They were intended for a different kitchen, but they look better here.”

“You were going to buy a different place?” He slides back onto the stool.

“I was going to move into a different place, then put my mark on it.”

His eyes narrow to blue slits. “What does that mean?”

“It means I said yes to the dress, then he said no to me.” It’s surprisingly easy to confess, but maybe that’s the wine.

Luke is staring at me—and really, I’m kind of shocked, too.

I never talk about Justin.

I’m so over Justin.

But I realize in this moment thatnottalking about him is as bad as talking incessantly about him.

So, I toss out some more truth. “That’s what I’m doing back in Empire. I wasn’t ready to keep working with the jackhole I’d thought I was going to marry, and see him every day at the office, not after I knew he had been screwing around on me; and subsequently was going to marry her instead. She can buy her own tiles to update the kitchen in his house.”

Luke looks across the room and back again, visibly composing his reply. “You can’t regret not marrying such a jerk.”

“No, but I can regret that I ignored all the little signs I saw along the way. I can regret being gullible, and believing all the ridiculous explanations that made no sense at all.” I take my plate to the sink and scrub it clean with vicious gestures, my voice dropping low. “I can regret being stupid and putting my trust where it didn’t belong.” The plate is cleaner than it’s ever been when I put it in the rack, and my utensils follow it quickly. I halfway wish I had the pots and pans from a turkey dinner to scrub, because I don’t like having nothing more to do.

On the other hand, it felt good to say it out loud. Iamover Justin. My anger is with myself. He lied, absolutely, but I chose to believe him despite my own observations.

“Maybe you’re more like Taylor than I’d thought,” Luke says and I realize he’s right behind me. He’s not touching me but I can feel the heat of his body, close, so close, and I’m tempted to just lean back. I know he’ll catch me. I doubt I’ll regret whatever happens next.

But that’s because no one’s going to make any pretty promises.

Maybe that’s because I know what and who he is, what he does, what he will do—and I still find him incredibly attractive.

And maybe, maybe a little something for right now is what I need today. More than a future or a promise, much more than a lie, just something honest exchanged in the moment.

Mutual solace.

The idea has resonance, like it’s the perfect notion at the perfect time. Looking for forever with your one true love is all good. But maybe along the way, you just need to be appreciated a little. Maybe a little physical satisfaction without expectations has its place.

I spin and meet his gaze, quick enough that I catch the admiration in his eyes. He’s been looking and he seems startled that I saw.

He almost smiles. “Caught.” He looks guilty and wicked, not apologetic at all. “Sorry, not sorry.”

“You’re not the only one,” I admit, watching surprise light his eyes.

They darken then, his lashes sweeping down to hide his thoughts as the corner of his mouth lifts, just a little. My heart skips a beat then takes off at a run. “Aren’t I?” he murmurs, a low purr that is the sexiest sound I’ve heard in a while.

“Not even close.”

His smile widens a little and his eyes gleam. “Aren’t you full of surprises, Daph?” he says in that deep rumble and doesn’t move.

He’s waiting for me to make the first move.

Is there anything better?

And that’s when I remember Justin, telling me that something I’ve done without thinking is the sexiest thing he’s ever seen.

On impulse, I do it, but it’s not about catching Justin’s attention.

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