Page 56 of Bad Boy Done Wrong
“Let me explain.”
She waited.
“Okay, it was a lie, but—”
“Zach!” Muriel called. “Can you toss me the key?”
Zach looked to the sky before barking, “No.”
“Go ahead and talk to her,” Carrie said. “We’re done.”
His light brown eyes narrowed. “Let me get this straight. Are you saying that now that you know who I really am, a respected professional in my field, you don’t want me?”
She swallowed hard. This was just like her ex, lying and then turning it around likeshewas the one with the problem. She couldn’t believe she’d ignored the signs, letting herself be fooled all over again. “I’m saying goodbye.”
He glowered down at her. “Good luck with the next random guy you pick up. I’m done playing white knight for you.” He stalked off back to his waiting ex.
“No one asked you to!” she hollered to his back.
He turned, opened his mouth and shut it with a snap. “Bye, Carrie,” he muttered.
She headed for home on shaky legs. But not before she heard Muriel cry, “I’m here because I still love you!”
Carrie didn’t stick around for Zach’s response.
~ ~ ~
Zach took a deep breath and reached for patience as Muriel pronounced, “I’m willing to take marriage off the table to be discussed at a later date. I never should’ve given you an ultimatum.”
“Muriel, I’m sorry. We’re not getting back together.”
“Because of her?” she spat.
“Not just because of her. You and I broke up more than a year ago. We’ve both moved on.”
“But I love you!”
He didn’t know what to say. He had loved her at one time, but he was in a different place. His heart was for Carrie. It was time he let Carrie know that. Though something was bothering him about this whole Muriel showing up on his doorstep thing. It was strange after more than a year. “How did you even find me?”
“I called your dad and told him how much I still loved you. I asked him not to say anything because I wanted to speak to you face-to-face and I wasn’t sure if you’d let me.”
He stared at her, not entirely convinced at her reasoning. “Are you going through a breakup?”
“Not exactly.” She looked away. “It’s very difficult to meet people at my age.”
She was only a year older than him. “You’re thirty-five.”
Her eyes flashed. “I’m aware of how old I am! It’s different for women. Men want a pretty young thing. Like that girl, Caren.”
He let that slide. She purposely called Carrie by the wrong name. “Why would you want to be with me when you know I’m a lone wolf? You must not have believed I’d ever commit. You said it went back to my childhood. Did you think anything would be different this time around? I’m still the same person.”
Her face crumpled. “You’re not a lone wolf! I said that out of anger. I’m sorry.” She sank to the porch step, buried her face in her hands, and quietly sobbed.
“But I never liked to spend the night. Remember? I couldn’t sleep with you.” But he’d slept with Carrie. He’d even fallen asleep holding her in his arms.
Because she was his mate.
The knowledge made the blood rush through his veins, exhilaratingly alive.
