Page 124 of My Heart Still Beats
Mere days ago, it would’ve had me running, but now?
Now I want it.
I want another kiss.
And I want more before this day is over.
I smile, thinking about how I’m ready, when Ben’s phone buzzes. He glances at it next to his plate, and his lips twist into…not a scowl, exactly, but not anything good.
“I’m so sorry,” he says, rising. “I have to take this.”
“It’s okay.” I attempt a smile.
Once he’s gone, I start to shiver. Tremble. Am I going too fast?
Because I’ve gone too fast before, and I ended up paying for it.
…
Several Months Earlier…
I knock on Garrett’s door to surprise him with margaritas and homemade guacamole.
When the door opens, my smile drops from my face. Before me stands a blond woman…wrapped in a towel.
The pitcher of margaritas drops from my hands, and the glass breaks on the concrete stoop. The guacamole follows, making a big green mess.
“Who the hell are you?” I demand.
She smiles. “Not sure that’s any of your business.”
I brush past her. “Garrett! Where are you?”
Garrett scrambles out of the kitchen wearing nothing but a pair of boxers.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say.
Garrett freezes. “Tessa, this isn’t what it looks like.”
“Really?” I let out a humorless laugh. “So you weren’t just fucking that woman?”
“Well, yeah, but… It was nothing. Just a hookup from an app. Lolita—”
I drop my jaw. “Lolita? You’re kidding, right?”
“It’s her name.”
“Unbelievable.”
Anger courses through me, hitting me right at the back of my neck. But heartbreak will follow. I really liked this guy. We had a lot in common—or so I thought.
I raise my eyebrows but then lower them. I don’t needhimthinking he just broke my heart. I thought we had something going. I told him no when he asked for anal, but I let him do everything else he wanted.
“It’s just a hookup. I didn’t think you and I had anything serious. This doesn’t change anything between us.”
I sigh. “I guess I just thought—”
“Try not to think too hard.” He comes in for a kiss.
