Page 46 of Saddle and Bound

She smiles gently. "I've seen that look many times, honey. Want to talk about it?"

For a moment, I'm tempted. But then I shake my head. "There's not much to say. She's... out of my league."

The bartender passes me my drink and I return to the table.

Rosie gives me a questioning look when I sit down, but I avoid her gaze. The evening continues, and I try not to observe too closely the chemistry between Rosie and Mr. Perfect, try not to notice how at ease she is with him, how she laughs with him...

I order drinks two or three more times, or maybe four or five... I don't know.

From time to time, the guys give me glances, so I try to appear as normal as possible.

The thing is, I'm usually not the one who stays on the sidelines of conversations, I'm not the one who doesn't liven up the evenings.

So... I certainly can't lie to my friends who have already figured out pretty much everything.

Chapter 24

Alex

The evening at the bar drags on, becoming increasingly unbearable as the hours pass. Rosie and Ethan seem to exist in a world of their own, laughing at private jokes and reminiscing about shared moments that none of us can comprehend. Every interaction between them is like a dagger to my heart.

"Remember that time in Malibu?" Ethan says, smiling at Rosie. "When we spent the whole night on the beach, watching the stars?"

Rosie laughs, a sound that once filled me with joy but now only brings pain. "How could I forget? It was one of the best nights of my life."

I can't take it anymore. I stand up abruptly, startling everyone at the table.

"Alex? Everything okay?" Chris asks, concerned.

"Just fine," I reply, my voice sharp. "I just need some fresh air."

I rush out of the bar, ignoring my friends' calls. The night air isn't exactly fresh, as we're in the middle of summer in southern Italy... so it's practically a sauna rather than a breath of fresh air, but at this moment I don't miss the bar's air conditioning one bit.

The anger, jealousy, and pain I've been trying to repress all evening explode within me.

Without thinking, I head towards my pickup. I need to get away, to drive until I can't feel anything anymore.

"Alex! Wait!"

I turn to see Rosie running towards me, her expression worried.

"What is it, princess?" I spit out, my voice laden with bitterness. "Shouldn't you be inside laughing with your Mr. Perfect?”

Rosie stops, struck by my words. "Alex, what are you saying?" She looks confused. Then I see a flash of realization, and she hastily adds, "No, wait, it's not what you think..."

"No?" I say, louder than normal, completely losing control. "Then what is it? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you and your city boy are planning your happy future together!"

Rosie looks at me, shocked, her eyes filling with tears. "Alex, please, let me explain..."

But I'm too hurt, too angry to listen. "There's nothing to explain, Rosie. I understand perfectly. Go back to your Ethan. You don't owe me an explanation, there's nothing between us and there never will be. I was just having fun."

Without giving her a chance to respond, I jump into my pickup and peel out. The last thing I see in the rearview mirror is Rosie standing in the parking lot, tears streaming down her face.

What was I thinking? Did I seriously believe that Rosie, with her refined little bottom, would have considered me?

Damn it!

I'm a poor fool.

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