Page 20 of Tormented Billionaire Romance Series

“We were dating for a few years. I mean, you were overseas for a hot minute. I just figured maybe you would catch wind of it on the internet.”

“I didn't check in much on my social pages.”

He shrugged. “It happens. The whole town knew.”

“But I didn't know.”

“That's old news, man. I wouldn't hang on too hard to it,” Ryan said.

I shot Ryan a hard look but didn't say much to him. Instead, I directed my next statement to Gabe. “Well, I only found out when I got into town.”

“Wild,” Gabe said. “I mean, everyone said you made it clear to Clara that you were taking your traveling job and that you two were over. I didn't know I needed your permission.”

“I would have hated to give you that impression.”

“That's why I didn't think it important.”

I nodded. “Right.”

“She told me things were over when I asked her to move to New York with me, so I don't think it's that big of a deal anymore.”

“Yeah, it's probably better to let it go,” Ryan commented.

I resisted shooting him another burning glance. “It's old news. You're right.”

“I hadn't expected her to react like that. I knew she didn't want to travel, but I didn't know she didn't want to move.”

“That's Clara. She's set in her ways.”

“It just seems like too much, to be honest. I might have dodged a bullet.”

I gripped my knee, trying to hide the pain I felt welling in my gut. He was talking about Clara—sweet, delightful Clara. I had spent so many years with her, getting to know the ins and outs of her brain and every inch of her personality. And when it was all over, I felt like I had been robbed of happiness.

But that was also my decision, I thought with a twitch of guilt.I chose my job over her comfort.

“You wanted to travel, right? I mean, from all accounts I heard, it was a mutual agreement,” Gabe went on.

“Sure, it was mutual,” I replied. “It just didn't work out. Just like with you two.”

“I wouldn't worry too much about it. No hard feelings, right?”

I offered him a genuine smile. “Sure, buddy. No hard feelings.”

He nodded and nudged Ryan, gesturing to one of coffee shops just across from the park where we were sitting. “Hey, speaking of feelings—are you ready to get married to Jen?”

“Of course! I literally can't wait to be married to her.”

“Nothing like the old ball and chain.”

I rolled my eyes. “That's my sister you're talking about, buddy.”

Ryan chuckled heartily while Gabe blushed.

He shrugged. “Ah, no hard feelings, dude. I was just teasing our groom over here.”

He took Ryan into a head lock and started messing with Ryan's hair.

I shook my head. “You two are ridiculous.”

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