Page 113 of The House Guest
Liv’s voice was shaky, panicked. “Whyis she here?”
“She flew in last night. She spent the night in the guest house, planning to talk to me today.”
Liv crossed her arms. “Talk to you aboutwhatexactly?”
She had every right to be upset. I swallowed. “She ended her engagement.”
Liv stepped back in shock. “So…she thinks she can just waltz back into your life because things have changed for her?”
“I don’t know,” I muttered.
She examined my face. “Please tell me you’re not going to run right back to her.”
If only I felt I had achoicein the matter. And it certainly wouldn’t be running—more like a cautious walk. The way my heart reacted to Primrose wasn’t something my mind had control of. I couldn’t stand here, though, look Liv in the eyes, and assure her that she and I were safe. My wounds when it came to Primrose had never healed. And now they’d been broken open all over again.
My relationship with Liv had been like a giant Band-Aid, one I had hoped would turn into a cure for my broken heart. Liv was the closest thing I’d ever have to a second chance. Yet I didn’t know if what we’d built was enough to withstand what might transpire with Primrose. Because that Band-Aid? It had just been ripped off.
I cleared my throat. “I’ve promised myself I would be honest with those I care about. Too many have been hurt because of decisions I made in the name of protecting people. I need you to understand that you mean so much to me. But I can’t let her go back to Ohio without seeing this through, whether that means ending things with her once and for all or…” I hesitated.
Liv raised her voice. “Are you telling me you’re going to just forget about everything we’ve built and run back into her arms? A woman who was supposed to be marrying someone else?”
“I’m far from running back to her, Liv. I have no idea whether I can trust her feelings. For all I know, she’ll leave and go back to him the second she lands in Ohio. But what Idoknow is that it’s not fair for me to stay with you while I’m figuring things out.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re breaking up with me?”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you never speak to me again. But I can’t continue to date you and have an emotional affair with someone else. Please believe me when I say I never saw this coming, and I would never have led you on if I’d suspected it. I believed she was getting married. I feel like a terrible person, but I’d feel worse if I wasn’t honest with you.”
Liv bent her head back, staring up at the ceiling. “I can’t believe this,” she whispered.
“You deserve better,” I said.
“You’re damn right I do.”
I felt numb. I hated myself at the moment, but there was no way to avoid needing this space.
Tears glistened in her eyes. “The sad part? If you come to me after this, I’ll probably consider taking you back, and I’m angry at myself for being weak.” She wiped her eyes. “As fucked up as it is, I agree that you need to get your shit together and figure things out with her once and for all. I’d rather this happen now than later, when I’ve invested even more time in our relationship.” She sniffled. “Because Iwasfalling in love with you.”
“You’re amazing for understanding,” I said, unsure how else to respond to her admission. “I don’t think I’d handle it the same if the situation were reversed.”
“Just remember who was here for you when she threw you away,” Liv spewed. She dumped her coffee in the sink and turned to go.
“You don’t have to leave—”
“You just told me we’re breaking up. You think I’m gonna stay and have eggs?”
I hung my head. “I’m so fucking sorry, Liv.”
“Call me when she leaves. But don’t expect anything from me, because I’ll probably never trust you again.” She turned around one last time. “I hope you get what you want, whatever that is.”
This time, I let her walk away. You’d think I would’ve felt some relief. But my nerves kicked into overdrive. Primrose had given me no reason to believe she wouldn’t use this trip to put the final nail in our coffin. She’d gotten closer to her wedding date and panicked after seeing photos of me and Liv. Some kind of fucked-up FOMO. If reality set in, and she decided once again that the best thing was to keep her family intact, there was now a very good chance I’d end up alone.
CHAPTER 32
Primrose
Since the moment Dorian left, I’d done nothing but pace. The coffee Benjamin had brought me was ice cold by the time I took my first sip. Despite nuking it several times, I still hadn’t managed to finish it. Nothing seemed to settle in my stomach.
At least an hour had passed, and Dorian hadn’t come back. He might’ve been thinking better of further engaging with me. Why come back and deal with me and my baggage when he had a beautiful, blonde girlfriend waiting at the mansion? I imagined them enjoying their eggs while he thought about how to let me down easy.Over easy.Probably like their eggs.
