Page 96 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell

“He just said some pretty hurtful things about me…and although some of them might have been partially accurate, it still wasn’t right or fair.”

“If he was a jackass to you, then forget about him. You deserve someone who thinks you’re amazing.”

Gracie loved Gemma, and it was exactly the kind of thing she would have said to her if their roles were reversed. And yet…

“Actually, I think I deserve someone who sees me for who I am, warts and all, and loves me anyway.”

Gemma scrunched up her forehead, obviously confused. “Yes, but isn’t that what I basically said? You deserve someone who thinks the world of you.”

“Yes, but I’m not perfect, and I don’t want someone who thinks I am. That’s probably why I dump so many of my boyfriends, because they don’t see the real me.”

“Okay, I’m with you so far,” Gemma said.

“I just need to start being completely honest about who I am, and eventually, I’ll meet the right guy.”

“So things are definitely over with Eric?”

Even as her heart shattered in protest, Gracie gave a jerky nod. “Most definitely.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

“The only cure for heartache is honesty. It will either win her heart, or you’ll know it is over.” -Miss Know-It-All’s Gossip Column.

Eric stood behind the bar at Buck’s and took another shot of Jose Cuervo, slamming the glass down on the bar.

Was he working? Hell, yes. Did he give two shits? No.

In the six days since he’d left Gracie at the hospital, he’d started writing four texts and hung up three times after dialing her. Hell, he’d even seen her car at the grocery store and peeled out of the parking lot. This town just wasn’t big enough for the both of them, not with everything he’d been feeling.

“Whoa, dude, what are you doing?” Grant asked.

Eric poured another shot. “Drinking. This is a bar, right?”

“Yeah, but it’sourbar, and we don’t drink when we’re working.”

He downed the shot, and air hissed out between his teeth as his chest burned. “Who says I’m working?”

His little brother puffed up his chest and scowled at him. “If you aren’t working, then get the fuck out from behind the bar, and I’ll find you a ride home. Right now, you’re pissing off the customers.”

Eric wanted to say he didn’t give two nuts and a squirrel about the customers, but he knew he’d regret it. Just like he’d regretted not telling Gracie everything about what he’d written before they’d arrived in New York. Neal had told him that his fight with Gracie had only revved up Vanessa more about the book, but he couldn’t get excited about it. Not when he knew that Gracie might never understand or forgive him.

He’d gone through several stages of emotions. Fury at her for being unreasonable. Guilt as he reasoned her point of view. Then rationalizing his side of things again, and finally, sadness because he didn’t know how to fix it. Wasn’t sure how to make it better.

He stumbled outside and climbed into his car. He turned on the engine and cranked up the heat as he shivered. He’d sleep off the alcohol for a few hours and then drive home.

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his text messages from Gracie. Some were sweet. Others were sassy. Then there were the downright naughty ones that left him grinning.

He pulled up his email and downloaded the PDF of his reworked book proposal he’d been writing all week and ending for the book, one that Vanessa had loved even more than his original. Then he tapped onto her name, attached the file, and started writing a text.

I never meant to hurt anyone, but especially not you. I wasn’t thinking about anyone but myself when I wrote this, when I edited it, and when I submitted it to publishers. I love you. I don’t care about the book or the publishing contract. I’ll rip it all up, if only you’ll come back to me.

He tapped Send just before he passed out.

* * *

Hours later, Eric woke up to the shrill ringing of his phone and realized he was freezing his balls off. As he searched frantically for his phone, he found it between his seats and nearly broke his hand getting it out.

“Hello,” he croaked.

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