Page 44 of The Boyfriend Gamble

“We need to talk.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Right.” And because breaking down into tears wasn’t an option, I stepped toward her.

She held up her hand.

I halted.

“What I have to say…it’s going to hurt you, Felix, and I’m more sorry than I can say about that.”

My mind raced. How couldshehurtme? I was the one who wasn’t in love with her. I loved her—with all my heart—but I wasn’t in love with her. Not remotely like what I felt for Jacob, and wasn’t that just a kick to the balls? More effective of a libido killer than summarily being pushed off someone while you were finally enjoying an erection brought on by them. We’d spent the last month pretending it’d never happened.

I’d never forget, though.

Her obvious distress pulled me from my own spiraling thoughts. “It’s okay if you hurt me. I’m a big boy. I just hate seeing you like this.”

More biting of her lower lip. “I’m leaving.”

“Okay.” My mind raced. “But you’ll be back for the wedding, right?”

She motioned her hand in a so-so gesture. Her blonde hair swung lightly around her heart-achingly beautiful face. “No, Felix, I’m going for good. Well, not forever. I don’t think. Although I can’t be certain. So…maybe…?”

“Josette, what’s going on?”

“I sent my portfolio to a count in Europe. Swear to God, an actual count.”

Okay, that sounded fishier than hell, but I didn’t stop her.

“And he liked my work. So much he’s invited me to his castle in Romania, and I’m going to redesign the interior.”

I arched an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure there isn’t nobility left in Romania.” I didn’t actually know this, but my gut told me this was a ruse. A quick internet search, though, would clear everything else up.

“Well, it isn’t actually a title, at this point. But his family’s owned the castle for hundreds of years, and it used to be entitled.”

“Okay.” I waved my hand. “Let’s say this is legit—”

“I have a contract.”

“That I hope you showed a lawyer.”

“I did. My friend Susan’s dad is a corporate lawyer. He looked it over and then talked to someone really important in Europe. The deposit has already been put into my account.”

What the hell is going on?I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. “So you’re just jetting off to Europe? To be with some old dude and to make his castle look spiffy?”

She blinked. “I thought you believed in my talent.”

I snagged her hand. “Of course I do. You know I do.” I gestured around the room, attempting to encompass the entire house. “I love what you’ve done here, Josie. You made this old derelict place into a home.”

Well, you and Jacob.

Wrong thought.

I took a deep breath. “So this Romania thing is legit?”

She nodded. Then opened her mouth, almost spoke, then closed it again.

“Just say it, Josette. Better I know now than find out later.”

“Well, uh…” She winced. “He’s not exactly old.”

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