Page 67 of Tempt
“For once, I am talking to you without a hand in my pants, I promise. I told myself before I called you that I would act like a responsible adult and not a hormonal teenager.”
“I like both sides of you.” She paused. “I wasn’t sure if you’d come over or call or...or what.”
“I wasn’t sure what to do either.”
“So you’re leaving tomorrow?” There was no mistaking the hope in her voice.
“Yes. On that six a.m. flight. But Millie.” I steeled myself.
“Yes?”
“I can’t see you tonight.”
Silence. “Okay.”
“It’s not because I don’t want to—you have to know that.”
“Totally,” she said, her tone more businesslike than it had been before. “I agree one hundred percent.”
“If things were different,” I said, hearing the note of desperation in my voice, “if the circumstances wereanythingother than what they are, I’d be on your doorstep right now. Actually, I’d probably already be in your bed.”
“It’s better that you’re not,” she said curtly. “Honestly, what’s the point? This can’t go anywhere. After this weekend, we probably won’t see each other again.”
“Yeah.” It was the truth, but it still made my chest cave.
“Well, I should get to bed.”
“Me too.”
“Have a safe trip back.”
“Thanks. Good luck with your business idea.”
“Thank you.” A few silent seconds ticked by. “Goodbye, Zach.”
“Bye.”
I ended the call and stared at my phone for a minute.
Then I deleted her number.
Then I lay there in the dark, telling myself I’d done the right thing, even if my room felt cold, lonely, and depressing.
Then I reminded myself that sometimes doing the right thing meant sacrifice. I’d always understood that, and I’d put myself in harm’s way countless times to protect others. In this case, I didn’t even have to risk bodily harm, I just had to give up one last night with her.
Then I got off the bed, grabbed my keys, and drove to her house.
CHAPTER15
MILLIE
Iwas curled up on the couch, sipping a cup of tea when I heard the knock. At first, I thought I’d imagined it. I went still and listened.
Then I heard it again.
Right away, I knew who it was, and I honestly debated not answering. Only thirty minutes ago, we’d agreed that we should not see each other.Hewas the one who’d stated it first. And he was right. Not only was it wrong, but we’d risk someone catching him coming or going. Beyond that, the last thing I needed was to get hung up on Zach Barrett—my ex’s dad, who lived across the country, who’d already had a vasectomy because he’d never wanted kids in the first place, and who’d be a grandfather within a year.
But it could happen. It could easily happen.
