Page 112 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“Do you want to talk more about your dad? The whole reason why you got the tattoo.”

I was almost grateful for the mood-killer. “There’s not a whole lot more to talk about. He put my mom through hell, then left us. He did one thing for me, though. He showed me what kind of man not to be, and every time I see the ink on my skin, I’m reminded of that.”

“I already know you’re nothing like him.”

“Thank you.” I placed my hand over my chest. I needed that strength now but for a different reason. The amount of willpower it took to keep from pulling her against me was staggering. “I know a lot of things about you, Perry, but those are things everyone knows. I’d like you to tell me something that no one else does.”

She sighed softly but otherwise remained quiet. I was wondering if she was even going to respond. I watched as she closed her eyes and joined her hands over her stomach.

“I’ve never been in love with someone before sleeping with them, and I’ve always wanted to be.”

Her answer affected me deeply. I felt the same way. As she lay there in the moonlight, there was only one thought going through my mind.

I’m going to marry this woman someday.

Iunlocked the front door and pushed inside, arms filled with grocery bags. I’d picked up a few things right after I checked out that apartment on Archer. It was bittersweet. I finally had enough saved for a deposit and first and last month’s rent—thanks to Stephen refusing to take money from me—but the thought of moving out left me hollow.

“Stephen?” I called out. No answer. Hmm. He sure was running late. He’d been in meetings again the entire workday, and the last time I’d seen him was that morning. It was already close to seven, and I hoped to at least get in a quick hi before I left again.

I set down the bags on the kitchen counter and unloaded everything. Then I checked my phone to see if there was anything new from Stu. I was so excited to finally have the chance to spend some time with him again. It’d been way too long. He’d texted me earlier, asking if I wanted to meet that night. He had some news, but assured me it was good. I couldn’t wait to hear it.

Stephen’s landline rang and without thinking I picked it up.Shit. I didn’t like to answer his phone, but sometimes I forgot.

“Hello.”

“Is this Stephen’s residence?” There was surprise in her voice.

“Yes.”

“My apologies, then. I’m not used to a woman answering.”

“Oh, I’m just a friend and—”

“Darling.” She laughed. “I don’t care who you are. Just put Stephen on the line, please.”

“He’s working.”

“I’ve already called there and his cell. No matter, I’ll keep trying. In the meantime, will you be a dear and pass along a message?”

“Go ahead,” I said. She had an accent I couldn’t place.

“Tell him Stefanie called, and I’ll be in town tomorrow and Sunday only. Wait, you won’t be around, will you? Ménages aren’t my thing.”

“I—”

“Never mind. He can just come to my hotel. He knows which one. I’ll give him the rest of the details when I speak to him. Thanks, darling.”

She hung up and I stared at the receiver.What. The. Fuck?Possessiveness blazed through me and I hated it. Hated it just as much as I hated her and her pretentious accent. At first, I’d falsely thought the call was work-related, but she’d quickly destroyed that assumption and then some. Who the fuck was Stefanie and how did he know her hotel? Stephen and Stefanie. Sickening. I slammed the phone down.

All right, Perry. Calm the fuck down. He’s entitled to a life outside of you. Sometimes I forgot that. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. He could see whomever he wanted, and so could I.

We’d been closer than ever since that night I’d slept at the edge of his bed. I’d fallen asleep, and he hadn’t woken me until morning.Every night since, I’d stayed in my own room, but things had definitely changed between us. We shared a type of bond I’d never experienced: intimacy without sex. I battled my attraction to him daily, but now more than ever I didn’t want to destroy us.

Which brought me back to Stefanie and whoever else was out there. He’d never showed any indication of wanting to bring a woman to his place, but maybe that was just him being respectful and courteous. He’d done so much for me, and I didn’t want to repay him by disrupting his life. Finding that apartment had been the first step. Putting down the deposit and moving out was the next. I’d been living with him for seven weeks. It was time.

“Perry?”

“In here.”

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