Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“Your dad told you that?” I start to get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Why would he tell you that?”
“Does it matter?”
“No, I guess it doesn’t,” I say, giving in, because this entire conversation is pointless. “It doesn’t matter, because you and I are not together anymore.”
“Anna—”
“Lance, I want you to hear me when I say what I’m going to say. I love it here. I’m happy here. I’ve made great friends, I have a job I love, and I’m seeing someone who’s come to mean a lot to me. Please, just go home.”
“You’re seeing someone?” he whines, and my right cheek twitches as I drag in a breath in an attempt to get my temper under control. “I can’t believe you’re dating.”
“Is that all you heard? Is that really the only thing you heard?”
“We were living together and planning our wedding.”
“When we were together, how many times did you call me when you were away on business?”
“I don’t know. I was working.” He waves my question away like it’s an annoying fly.
“How many times did we go out to have lunch when we were working in the same building?” I wait, and when he doesn’t answer, I ask, “How many times did you stop by to see me, just because you missed me?”
“We lived together. I saw you every day. Why would I miss you?”
“That’s my point, Lance.” I lean toward him and point my finger at his chest. “For you, what we had was enough.” I point at myself. “But it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted more.”
“More than my ring and my money?” There’s a tinge of disgust in his tone. “Be honest, Anna. You got with me because I had money.”
“No, Lance, that’s where you’re wrong. I got with you because I thought you were different. I thought I could love you and that you might be able to make me happy. I stayed with you because of your money.”
He takes a step toward me, and my back straightens when his eyes narrow.
“Get off my property!” Edie says, getting between us with her hands up like she’s ready to push him back if necessary.
“Go back to Chicago, Lance.” I sigh tiredly as I pull Edie away from him.
“You wanna know why I was with you?” he asks, sounding disgusted, and I hold his stare. “Your daddy promised me half his company if I put a ring on your finger.”
“Sorry you’re not getting what you wanted.”
“Oh no, Anna. I will, and when I get back to Chicago, I’m going to use every last resource I have to help my father buy the rest of your dad’s crumbling company out from under him.”
“I hope it makes you happy. Now if that’s all, I’m going inside.” I turn for the stairs to my place, taking Edie’s hand and pulling her with me as I listen to Lance stomp off behind us. When we reach my apartment, I hear a door slam and tires squeal as he peels off.
“I can’t believe you ever thought he was a nice man,” Edie says when I let us both into my place.
“I know.” I drop my bag to the floor. “I should’ve known he was like everyone else.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I take a seat on the side of my bed and pull my hair back away from my face. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised when the people from my old life show me their true colors. But I’m still surprised each time they do.”
“It’s because you wouldn’t even think of harming them, even if it’s just emotionally.” She sits next to me and takes my hand. “Who is Lucy?” she asks, and I turn my head toward her.
“My friend.”
“Why did he bring her up?” she asks, and I don’t want to tell her the truth. I don’t want her to know I’ve never made good decisions when it’s come to friends.
“She sent me a photo of him half-naked in her bed, and I forwarded it to him, thinking that would be a good reason for him to leave me alone. I guess it was just a good excuse for him to show up here.”
“Oh.” Her nose scrunches in disgust. “I don’t think you should consider her a friend.”
I laugh loudly and fall back on my bed. “I don’t. Really, I don’t know why I ever did. She was never a very nice person.”
She pats my leg. “Good thing you didn’t drink the Kool-Aid in Chicago. Seems to me it’s poisonous.”
“It seems that way,” I agree as her eyes lock on mine.
“How was your night with Calvin?”
“Perfect.” I can’t help my smile.
“I bet.” She winks, and I groan. “Oh, stop. I might be old, but I’m not dead. I want to know everything.”
“We’re never talking about anything that happens between Calvin and me.”