Page 92 of Love or Leave

She just wished things had gone differently. She wished he were more trustworthy.

She wished he didn't have a wife.

Fucking Fran.

She was like a giant, puss-filled zit on Antonio's face that refused to break open, drain, and go away. It was stupid to think he'd somehow got over her in the few weeks they'd known each other, but Cara had wanted him so badly she let herself get carried away in the fantasy.

Did he not really mean what he'd said about being her boyfriend? Did she only believe it because she wanted it to be true so desperately?

But even if he had meant it, and wanted to be her boyfriend, it didn't matter. He still had way too many issues with Fran that he hadn't resolved. Was it just neglect, as he claimed, that he hadn't signed the divorce papers? Or was he strategically leaving the door open to so he could one day walk through it again?

The unsigned papers were a deal breaker for her. They'd been officially together, boyfriend and girlfriend, for three days. She’d broken up with Jalen. But he hadn't thought it prudent to finalize his divorce?

She hung her head as she toed off her shoes and took off toward the enormous staircase.

"Wait!"

Max's voice broke through her runaway thoughts, and she stopped and turned to him from the second step.

"I can't talk about this right now."

Cara had woken up that morning believing she'd finally be putting all the unease in her heart to rest. Instead, it had detonated like an atomic bomb inside her body.

"Cara? Are you okay?"

She turned to find Willow staring at her with big saucer eyes. Chelsea and Natalie were standing behind her in the hall. Shehadn't even heard them come in, but then she remembered they were all getting together that morning to discuss bridesmaid dresses.

She shook her head as her eyes filled with tears. She blinked and blinked, swallowed too, but the weight of the tears became too much and one broke free, gliding down her cheek and hitting the carpeted stair below her feet.

"I'm going to fucking kill him," Max muttered.

Willow snapped toward him. "Who?"

Before he could answer, Ethan and Adam came down the hall and stopped short. Ethan looked at her, then at Adam, then sighed.

"You know?" he asked Max.

Max's head swerved, lightening fast toward Ethan. "Didyouknow about this?"

"Know about what?" Willow screamed.

Cara swiped at the tears in her eyes as she came back down the stairs. "Antonio and I were sort of seeing each other," she said.

Everyone took a few moments to react. But their reactions set her teeth on edge.

Willow's shoulders relaxed, Natalie smiled, and Chelsea clapped.

"We knew it," Chelsea said, glancing toward Natalie and Willow. "We were just talking about this the other night. You two are literally perfect for each other."

Max snapped his neck toward them. "Have you lost your minds? He's older thanme."

Natalie rolled her eyes. "That doesn't matter."

Max seethed. "He's still married."

"Only technically," Willow said.

Max shook his head and stumbled backward. "I can't believe this."

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