Page 63 of The Most Perfect Wrong

I officially moved out tonight. I only packed a suitcase for now—I figure I can always go back for more. It was a sudden decision, one I made after coming home from the work trip with Cooper. I didn’t make the decision because of Cooper, but I know my feelings for her influenced it. Leo offered up his place temporarily while I look for something permanent. I mentioned wanting to move out after we played pickleball, and he insisted I stay with them. I hate feeling like I’m intruding, but they have the space, and their townhouse is perfectly located—right off the river. I have an entire floor to myself, and I can walk to work.

“And she has a follow-up tomorrow?” Leo asks.

“Yeah. She’s been on hormone therapy for a few months now. Things are looking as good as they can. We just hope she continues to move in the right direction.”

“How did she take the news about you moving out?”

I sigh. “She was disappointed… obviously. She’s been holding out hope that I’d come back around… But I don’t think she was surprised.” I run a hand through my hair. “She took it well, all things considered.”

She really did. I know she’s devastated, that her heart is broken. But she was understanding, and for a moment, it made me second-guess why I’d leave someone like her.

“And what’s the deal with Cooper?”

“Fuck, man, I don’t know. Her fiancé’s a real prick. Controlling, jealous, manipulative… She doesn’t seem happy with him.” I take a sip of my beer. “Hopefully, she’ll break up with him soon.”

“C’mon, c’mon, go, go, go! YES! Touchdown!” Leo shouts, and I whoop at the TV.

As we settle down, the score getting tighter, Leo glances at me sideways. “He’s controlling?” He raises a brow in question.

“I think so… She made a comment about him being selfish, saying she turns into a puppet around him.” I shrug. “Says she feels like she lost herself a long time ago.”

Leo lets out a slow breath. “Fucking wanker. I’ve worked with my share of couples in that kind of relationship.” He shakes his head. “That’s a shame. I hope she gets out of it.”

We both leap up, shouting as the Bears score another touchdown. “YES!” I pump my fist in the air, and Leo whoops, clapping his hands loudly.

“That’s what I’m talking about, baby!” Leo exclaims.

“Babe?” Vivian calls softly from the bottom of the stairs.

“Hold on, babe,” he replies, holding up a finger.

“Hey, I just need you to keep it down a little, so you don’t wake Isla.”

“Alright,” he says, glancing her way. “We’ll keep it down.” But his focus snaps right back to the TV as the Bears kicker lines up for the extra point.

He makes it, and we whisper-shout, high-fiving each other as the game ties up. We sit back down, still amped from the excitement.

Leo looks over at me. “So, did anything happen in Austin?”

“No. I mean, she’s engaged. Nothing can really happen.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah,” I smirk, laughing. “A lot happened in Austin. She spent the first day giving me hell.”

Leo gives me a look, clearly waiting for me to explain.

“She’s got this way of flirting with me—witty, mean, funny as hell. And I dish it right back. It’s different, but I like it. It’s fun, and I don’t know, kind of a turn-on.”

Leo chuckles. “Fuckin’ women.”

“Then one night, she invites me to the pool.” Leo raises a brow, intrigued. “I get down there, and she’s in this swimsuit that’s… I mean, she’s practically naked, man. Her tits are—” I let out a puff of air. “She looks so damn good. Then she pulls out edibles and offers me one.”

“Oh my God,” Leo laughs, shaking his head. “You didn’t stand a chance.”

“No, I didn’t. We take them, and then we’re flirting and playing in the pool like a couple of kids for over an hour. The edibles kick in, and we’re laughing so much—just having fun. Then we get to this spot where I’ve got her backed against the wall, hands on her waist, ready to go in for a kiss. But she’s in a relationship. So, what do I do? I do the right thing. I tell her we need to get out of the pool.”

“That’s some fucking self-control, mate.”

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