Page 68 of Hard to Resist

“His ex-wife is Celine.”

“I—He—What?”

“Yup.”

“Your boss’s ex-husband is your boyfriend.”

“Correct.”

“The man you are dating, Cullen, used to be married to Celine, your periodically bitchy boss.”

“Now you see the issue.”

“I mean…” She curls her lips inward, and her cheeks puff out like she is trying to hold in a laugh.

“Hannah.”

“I’m so sorry, it’s kind of funny. Like, how many people accidentally date their boss’s ex?”

“It’s not funny, and we’re not dating anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because I broke up with him.”

“I thought you liked him?”

“Did you not hear a word I said? He’s Celine’s ex-husband. That woman once fired her assistant for using the wrong naming convention for files. You think she won’t murder me if she finds this out?”

“What’re the odds she finds out?”

“That’s not a risk I’m willing to take, Han.”

“You always say that.” Her eyes narrow quizzically. “You sure you didn’t sleep with him?”

“No. We just made out.”

My stomach flips remembering that kiss, and I curse it for not being on the same page as my head. It is hard enough trying to mentally separate myself from Cullen, I don’t need my body betraying me as well.

“Well, then you’re totally peachy. Everyone makes out. So long as no bits and bobs ended up in places, the slate’s clean.”

“I know. That’s why I ended it before it even started.”

“So, why do you sound so depressed?”

“Because I liked him,” I whine, dragging my knees to my chest and resting my forehead against them. “I really fucking liked him, and instead the universe had to sayno, fuck you, Verity. You don’t get to fall in loveand make me throw him away like he was used trash.”

I was mean last night. I blame half of it on the exhaustion and sleep deprivation, but at the core of it, I was hurt and freaking out, and I used that pain on Cullen.

I don’t actually give a rat’s ass that he’s divorced. Sure, it would’ve been a little weird to get my head around at first, but a small bump in the road, something I’d get over quickly.

The Celine factor? That was like a damn grenade.

It blew everything up with no remorse. Clearing that rubble was a total no-go, beyond saving.

“I’m sorry, Vee.”

Hannah places her hand on my shoulder blade and gives my back a soothing rub.

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