Page 51 of Her Possessive Daddies

"Come on, our time together has to mean something." He leans forward, voice dropping to that intimate tone he uses when he wants something. "I miss you."

The words that once would have melted me now ring hollow. Empty charm, like everything else about him.

"I appreciate the apology, Chandler. But I'm different now. We both are." I take a bite of my sandwich, chewing slowly. "Or at least I am."

"Look, I know I fucked up." Chandler's sounds remorseful, his eyes darting around the diner. "You were good for me, Abs. The best thing that ever happened to me."

"I'm going back to school. Getting my shit together finally." He leans forward, elbows on the table. "Maybe we could try again? Start fresh?"

The Chandler sitting across from me looks the same as always - perfect hair, perfect teeth, designer clothes. But something's different. The spark I used to feel, the butterflies, they're gone. Instead, my mind drifts to Corey's commanding presence, Seth's playful energy.

"I don't think that's a good idea." The words come out gentler than I expect. "What we had... it's in the past."

"Is there someone else?"

Two someone elses, actually. But I'm not about to explain that to my ex.

"That's not relevant." I straighten my spine. "The point is, I've changed. I'm not the same girl who used to hang on your every word, hoping you'd notice me trying to be perfect for you."

"But-"

"No, Chandler." I push my half-eaten sandwich away. "You didn't want the real me then. And honestly? I don't want the maybe-changed you now."

I hear a chime from in my bag. This time I check it - a text about tonight's dinner plans. A smile tugs at my lips.

Chandler's jaw tightens as he glances at my phone. "Who’s texting you?"

"None of your business." I tuck the phone into my purse.

"Come on, Abs. I know that look." His voice takes on that condescending edge I used to ignore. "You're seeing someone."

"And if I am?"

"Already? Shit, you moved on fast." He crosses his arms. "What's he do? Someone you met at work? Some college dropout?"

The irony almost makes me laugh. If he only knew about Corey's success, Seth's wealth. But I won't give him the satisfaction.

"My love life stopped being your business when you decided I wasn't fun enough anymore."

"So there is someone." His eyes narrow. "What, is he older? You in it for the money? That why you won't tell me?"

Heat floods my cheeks. "Where's my stuff, Chandler?"

"In my car." He doesn't move. "Just tell me who he is. I deserve to know who replaced me."

"You don't deserve anything." I stand up, grabbing my purse. "Let's get my things and just be done with this."

"Fine." He throws some cash on the table, following me outside. "But I know you're hiding something. The Abbie I know couldn't keep a secret to save her life."

The Abbie he knew. If he only knew how much I'd changed, what I'd discovered about myself. But that's not for him to know.

He pops his trunk, pulling out a cardboard box. "Here's your stupid shit."

I snatch the box. "Thanks. Good luck with the job interview."

"Whatever."

I turn away, holding my head high as I walk to my car. My former self would have explained, apologized, tried to smooth things over. But I'm not her anymore.

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