Page 57 of Marring an Athlete

Chapter Nineteen

Anna

She held it together as she stomped away from the therapy building and across the resort to her “love hut”. But once she was inside with the door shut behind her, she let the tears fall. Sobs escaped her lips as she sat down on the bed.

The memory of the last hour rushed through her mind and slammed into her skull like a Mac truck. Michael was engaged. Engaged!

She wiped at the tear that slipped down her cheek. How could that jerk do this to her? And not even tell her? It was low, even for him.

She allowed herself to feel sorry for a minute longer before she wiped her tears dry and stood. There was no way she was going to let him occupy her thoughts for a moment longer. She was going to pack and get the heck out of this love hut as soon as possible.

She wasn’t quite sure where she was going to go, but she knew that she couldn’t stay here.

After her belongings were collected, she zipped up her suitcase and grabbed the handle. After righting it, she tugged it toward the door. In a few seconds, she would be out of here and moving on from Michael.

She shut the door behind her and started up the walkway. The wheels of her suitcase bumped on the slats between the wood. She enjoyed the noise is made. It filled the silence that seemed to be deafening her.

Once she was on the sidewalk, she headed toward the Rekindle restaurant. After eating, she’d probably go down to the beach and get lost in the beauty that was this place. After all, she had only a few more days before she’d head back to New Jersey. Might as well enjoy it while she’s here.

She stepped into the restaurant and headed over to the hostess stand. A minute later Teresa, their hostess from the day before, smiled at her as she walked up to Anna.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Jones. Lunch?”

Anna nodded. She wanted to tell Teresa that she wasn’t Mrs. Jones and that she never would be. Not when there was a leggy blonde clinging to Mr. Jones’s arm, but that seemed like a fruitless conversation. Instead, she just nodded and followed Teresa as she led her to their table.

“Will Mr. Jones be joining us?”

Anna forced a laugh, but when Teresa kept her gaze earnest, Anna shook her head. “No. Mr. Jones will not be joining me. Mr. Jones is preoccupied right now.” Flirting with his soon-to-be wife.

Ugh. She needed to stop thinking. The dessert menu sounded good right now.

Thankfully, Teresa just nodded, waving her hand for Anna to follow. “Very well.”

At the table, Anna pulled out her chair and sat down. She was ready to indulge in this four-star restaurant. And she was more than ready to be alone.

After ordering, she leaned back on her chair and turned her attention toward the window where she watched the waves lap the shore. Her thoughts turned to Michael and Daisy. She wondered if they were still with Sefina. Was she telling them how perfect a couple they were?

Acid rose up in her stomach. She needed to stop thinking about them and start focusing on herself. Her bad taste in men had gotten her in trouble yet again. What stung the most this time around was the fact that she trusted him. Michael knew how hurt she had been, and yet went on to do exactly what every guy in her life had ever done.

She huffed and blew a strand of hair from her face. This was the last time she would let a guy affect her like this. She needed to start putting up walls. Protecting herself from guys like Michael.

“Mon chéri, why are you sitting alone?”

Anna jumped and turned around to see Javier standing behind her. He was smiling. His white teeth shown against his tanned skin. When he caught her gaze, he winked.

“Hey,” Anna breathed out.

As if that recognition was all the permission he needed, Javier walked around to the empty chair and sat down. “Why do you look so sad?” he asked, reaching out and adjusting the silverware that was on the table.

“Sad? I look sad? I’m not. Mad maybe. Livid. I ended things with Michael.” She stumbled to cover up the hurt that had bubbled up inside of her. There was no way she wanted anyone to know that Michael Jones had just broken her heart.

“Mon chéri, you can tell me.” He leaned forward with a sparkle in his eye.

Anna studied him and then dropped her gaze to the table where she fiddled with the corner of her napkin. “Why do you keep calling me that?”

“Mon chéri?”

“Yes. What does that mean?”

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