Page 49 of The Broken Heart Playlist
“What about Lisset’s father?” he asks after a moment, changing the subject. “Is he still in the picture?”
And now he’s opened up a whole different conversation that I don’t care to have. But vulnerability still shrouds him and I don’t have it in me to shut him down.
“He’s not in the picture,” I reply.
“Does Lisset still see him?”
“No.”
“Do you still see him?”
“No.”
“You’re divorced?”
“Yes.” I know what he’s really trying to find out. “I changed our last name back to Miller after the divorce.”
He offers a thoughtful nod. “Ah, okay.”
I dig my nails into my palms. “I don’t like talking about my ex-husband.”
“I don’t want to waste any words on him either.” His voice has taken on an edge. “He sounds like a fool who didn’t appreciate what he had.”
I say quietly, “I’m the fool for staying as long as I did.”
“What counts is that you left.”
“I didn’t leave him,” I state flatly. “He left me. And Lisset.”
Surprise streaks across his face before he smooths out his expression. “I would be a hypocrite if I said I was sorry. I’m just glad you’re not with him anymore.”
Our eyes connect and the silence between us swells, taut and knowing. Something heated flares in his face.
“What did Aaron say to you?” I ask abruptly. “On Saturday night at the dinner, the two of you disappeared for a short time.”
“I don’t want to scare you.”
My eyes widen. “Seriously? Now you’re scaring me by not telling me.”
He grins. “He’s very protective of you.”
I let out a groan. “Oh, no, what did he say?”
“He threatened me with serious bodily harm if I hurt you in any way.”
My cheeks are burning. I press my palms against them, mortified. “I can’t believe he said that to you.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t angry or offended. I like that he’s looking out for you.”
“What else did he say?”
“He asked me a question and I answered with the truth.”
“What was the question?”
His eyes linger on mine. “He asked me if I’m interested in you.”
My blush deepens and I lower my gaze to the wooden boards of his porch. How did the conversation veer so quickly in this direction? We took a turn somewhere along the way, only I wasn’t paying attention and now I don’t know where I am.
