Page 76 of Get Lost

Alex strode toward the front door. “What do I care? You’ve always been a…free spiritwhen it comes to men.” He shrugged one shoulder, then added, “Why change now?”

Kelsey’s shoulders curled inward. He’d saidfree spiritlike someone else might sayslut.

Right before he stepped outside, Alex turned around again and locked eyes with Kelsey. “You know, I actually believed you when you said you didn’t mix business with pleasure. Thought maybe this thing with us was special. Thought maybe it was different.” He looked her up and down, then shook his head sadly. “Thought maybeyouwere different. But you’re just who you’ve always been.”

Kelsey swallowed the thick lump of emotion in her throat and inhaled a shaky breath. She’d wondered how she would manage to stay away from Alexander this weekend, but now she needn’t worry. He’d be staying far away from her. Which is exactly what she wanted.

So why did it feel like someone had just punched a hole through her chest?

Her eyes prickled with tears, but she blinked them back.

She would not cry over Alexander Arroyo.

Not now, anyway. Maybe later, when no one could see her. Or judge her for being so stupid that she’d allow herself to feel something for someone who’d done nothing but try to piss her off for twenty-some-odd years.

Stupid.

What was it her mother always said? When someone shows you who they are, believe them? Well, Alexander had shown her who he was.

And now she truly believed him.

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