Page 188 of Force Play

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He’s not going to fight for this. Forus.

“Why should I go, Ari?”

“Because you deserve to find someone who makes you happy.”

I want to scream at him that I already have.Hemakes me happy.

But it’ll only fall on deaf ears.

My voice comes out slightly choked now. “What about this?” I gesture between us, forcing him to finally look at me.

“What about it?” Ari’s attempt to seem unbothered is entirely unconvincing. “This was just sex.”

“Right, yeah…”

“We made our lists, and we just checked the last item off. We’ve gone through everything. That’s all you wanted from me, isn’t it?”

When we started this? Yes, I couldn’t imagine wanting anything more.

Now? I’d give him my life if he’d only open his eyes.

Glasses don’t help when you refuse tosee.

I just give him the answer he’s looking for. Anything else won’t matter.

“Right.”

“Then there’s no reason you shouldn’t go out with John.”

“Ari…”

“It’s fine, Lucia.” He forces a smile. “This was always going to come to an end. You want a partner, and I hope you find that.”

Without another word, he spins on his heel and walks out of the gym, leaving me reeling behind him.

All the unemotional Lucia Torres wants to do right now is break down.

Cry until I’ve moved on.

But I don’t think any amount of tears would spare me.

How did today turn so quickly? I woke up trying to figure out when to talk to Ari, and by late morning, I had a date with another man.

I take a deep breath and grab my phone.

Lucia

Can you ladies all come over later?

I apparently have a date tonight

Harlow

You do?!

Lucia

Don’t get too excited