Page 96 of Hungry Hearts

“I didn’t want to hurt you. I wanted to hurthim.”

“You hurt Ruby as well.”

He scrubs his hands over his face. “I thought we got along okay until I saw her with him.”

“His name is Ryder.”

“I know. But I don’t want to say it.”

“To be fair, Ryder doesn’t like saying your name either.”

He looks up at me with sad, apologetic eyes. “I never meant to hurt you, Maia. I’ve tried to date, to find a woman I could be happy with, but there’s no other person like you.”

“We’re all unique individuals. There’s no one like you either, Flynn.”

We’re quiet while the waiter delivers our food. Neither of us pick up our forks to eat.

“You have so many wonderful qualities and will make an amazing boyfriend and husband one day, but you need to get over...me. We’re not right for each other. I care about you, but I don’t—”

“Love me. Does this mean you love...him?”

“I don’t know.” It’s a half-lie. Two weeks ago, I would have said yes. But my heart is healing and I need to see if the damage that was caused between us can be repaired before admitting it.

“The love you and Adam had was real. I couldn’t be jealous of you two with how perfect you were for each other.” He lets out a long sigh. “I’m sorry for fucking us up. I won’t lie to you and tell you I like the guy, but I’m sorry for betraying your trust and hurting Ruby. I’ve been...a mess. Losing Adam destroyed me, but I had you. Losing you to another man...” He shakes his head.

“Yes, our love was real. I miss Adam every day and no one will ever fill the part of my heart and soul that he owns. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is that our hearts can love more than one person. I remember when I was pregnant with Ruby, I was so afraid I wouldn’t love her as much as Adam. The moment I held her in my arms, I realized that love is the strongest emotion, and comes in so many sizes. The heart will grow if we allow it to.”

I tilt my head and give him a sad smile. He’s been good to me over the years, and it’s hard to hate him, but I need some space from him so I can heal.

“I forgive you, Flynn, but the trust I had in you is damaged. We need space. You need to start living your life. Find yourself good friends, a nice woman. Start over. I didn’t think it was possible, but it is. You’ll find your happiness, I promise, but I don’t want you coming around for a while. Please respect my boundaries.”

“So this is our goodbye meal?”

“It’s our goodbye for now. When you’ve found your happiness, I want to hear about it. Celebrate with you and for you.”

“You’re getting back with him then?”

“I hope so. If the damage isn’t too deep to repair.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Another fucking Monday. Another fucking day off. If Janice didn’t act all offended with me coming in, I’d be at the restaurant twenty-four seven. She’s an awesome chef and a great second when I’m not there. My needing to go in has nothing to do with her not being competent and everything to do with needing something to do.

But I can’t tell her that. Already, my staff is giving me side-eyes. I’m pretty sure there’s gossip around the kitchen that I’m either sick, dying, or knocked up one of my random hookups.

It’s only nine in the morning and I’ve already played four hours of video games. Or rather, I’ve had the controller in my hands and AC/DC blaring for four hours. Mostly, I zone out at the flat screen mounted on the wall. I’m not even a gamer, so I have no idea why I’ve succumbed to such a mind-numbing waste of time. Oh, yeah. Probably because I’m trying to numb my mind.

I’ve only dabbled with drugs twice. Once on my high school graduation night when my buddies passed around a bong. It was a weird high. I laughed. Laughed a lot. Everything was fucking funny and I couldn’t get off the couch all night.

In the morning, I didn’t have a hangover, but I felt like I didn’t like the feeling of being so out of control. The second time was the night after Nolan left for basic training. I was sad and needed laughter in my life. Only that time I had a different reaction. I felt...stoned. I zombied out in my bedroom, staring at the wall and wondering what the fuck I was going to do with my life. That’s how I’ve felt the past two weeks.

From the corner of my eye, I see the penthouse door open. I don’t turn my head or acknowledge the intruder. Nora typically waddles in midday to check on me and I shoo her away. Drake has been irritating me in the morning on his way to the office, while Nolan likes to plop himself next to me on the couch before hitting the casino floor on security patrol. I ignore his daily lectures telling me I’m a fuckhead for not talking to Maia.

Trey and Ella are the only ones who have left me alone, but given that this morning’s intruder is laden down with grocery bags, my guess is Ella is here to stock the fridge and force me to eat.

Of the three women my friends have snagged, she’s the sweetest, but she has a fiery backbone that we all respect. A lot like Maia. Exceptthatbackbone was bent over taking another man’s dick.

I tune out Ella and the groceries whileHell’s Bellsthumps through the speakers of the penthouse. I pretend to focus on killing the enemy inCall of Dutywhen the room goes quiet. Fuck. Ella’s going to want to talk.

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