Page 181 of Enthrall Ecstasy
“Of course.”
I gave a nod, reassured that the return of Shay’s funds would mean he’d be able to buy that piece of land he’d had his heart set on.
I refused to be the one to steal his future.
He would never have let me return to Majestic.
And after I’d been back there at that Glendale House, and done all those things they get us to do, he wouldn’t want me.
Because another man touching me was something he couldn’t stand.
Caressing my chest, I knew this ache would be permanent.
Within an hour, we’d made it back to The Grove Apartments. I turned to face Carrie. “Promise me you’ll return his money today.”
“We will.”
“I’m not coming back,” I said. “I’ll send you the money.”
“Glad to hear.”
She didn’t need to know it was my membership payment for Chrysalis which Richard had sent back.
I went to open the car door.
“He doesn’t deserve you, Rue.”
“You’re wrong,” I said. “It’s the other way around.”
I exited the car and headed up to my apartment building.
One Week Later
The December rain had finally ceased, leaving the air cool and fresh.
Richard turned the engine off. He was quiet and thoughtful, respectful even—everything a good friend could be at a time like this.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Never better,” I lied.
He’d been checking in on me frequently over the last week. Since finding that note from Rue, I’d gone back to being my usual grumpy self.
The check I’d written to Carrie Quinn to get Rue out of her contract at Majestic had been sent back to me—a week too late. I’d lost the bid on the land I’d wanted to buy. It had gone to someone else.
But I cared more about what I’d done to Rue.
I assumed that the returned check meant she had returned to Majestic.
I could have called her.
I was still struggling with the role of jealous asshole.
Maybe next week I’d reach out to her, see how she was doing. Maybe I’d get Lotte to check on her. That way Rue wouldn’t have to deal with me.
Maybe she wouldn’t even take our call.
I climbed out of the Audi and walked away, needing a few minutes to regroup.
