Page 65 of Hard to Resist

“Whywould she mention you, Cullen?”

“Celine and I…” He trails off, pacing to the right and then coming back to stand before me. “This isn’t how I ever wanted to bring this up.”

I’m supposed to be asking him whatthisis.

The issue is, I know. The second he saidCeline and I…

The glass cracks farther.

“Tell me, Cullen. The truth.” My voice wavers. “How do you know Celine?”

“She’s my ex.”

The glass breaks.

“Ex-what?”

“Wife. We’re separated.”

The glass shatters.

I sink down in a crouch, resting my ass on the back of my ankles and run my hands through my hair. Broken laughs escape my chest because life is playing one hell of a joke on me.

“Oh my God. What the fuck, Cullen?” My sanity is no longer present. The threads snap. I push back onto my feet. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“I didn’t know you knew Celine.”

“So? You were just never going to tell me you were divorced? You didn’t think that was important?”

“It’s not exactly the type of thing you bring up on the first date.”

“What about the fourth? You know, the one where you asked me to be your girlfriend after kissing me? You didn’t think to tell me then?”

I’m not sure why I’m making such a big deal out of this. I can’t think clearly.

“No, I didn’t. My marriage isn’t something I really talk about. Ever.”

“This is a nightmare, Cullen. A nightmare. I would never have agreed to this if I’d known you were Celine’s ex.”

He looks at me like I just slapped him.

“Verity. You don’t—”

“What am I supposed to do? If Celine finds out, I’m done. Done, Cullen. My career at Delute will be over in a heartbeat.”

“That’s wrongful termination.”

“You think Celine cares?” I look him squarely in the eyes. “Do youreallythink Celine is going to care?” He says nothing, and it just spurs me on. “I saw the way you guys were arguing. You hate each other. And now I’m in the middle of that.”

I can’t see a solution here.

Jenna already cautioned me away from letting my love life mingle with work. I think she’d have an absolute aneurism if she found out I’d been dreaming of banging the boss’s ex-husband.

I can’t do this.

I need to step away. Now. Before my heart gets any more invested.

“I’m sorry.”

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