be casual or the real deal. No in-between. He couldn’t keep me off the market just to be selfish. So, that was how we decided to take a step forward. But when push actually came to shove, he showed his true colors.” She drank the last of her wine then licked her lips. “I fell in love with him like an idiot. Won’t make that mistake again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Men suck. Duly noted.” She grabbed the plates and empty wineglasses and carried them to the sink. “I should get ready because I’ve got to manhunting. It was nice having you guys drop by.”
We’d been there for a couple hours, and time just flew by. I felt like I was in a place where I belonged, with people who made me feel at home. “Glad we could eat some pizza together.” I cleaned up my mess, and when I came back into the dining room, I saw Daisy walk up to her brother and whisper something quickly before she walked away.
Dex’s eyes froze for one moment, responding to whatever she’d said. Then he looked at me.
She told him.
I didn’t expect her to keep it a secret, but I didn’t expect her to run to Dex and tell him as soon as possible.
Dex quickly looked away, trying to act like nothing happened at all.
We said our goodbyes and then left her penthouse and headed to the street. We spent the walk in silence, like Dex didn’t know what to say without bringing up what he’d just heard, and I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to talk about it.
He lived closer to his sister and my apartment was a little out of the way, but he didn’t stop at his building and continued to walk.
“You don’t need to walk me home, Dex. It’s fine.” The only reason he’d picked me up was because I didn’t know exactly where Daisy lived. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks for coming along. I know my sister really likes you.” He stood with his arms by his sides, looking at me with that absorbent dark stare, emitting a subtle intensity he seemed unable to control.
“I really like her too. Mason is an idiot, and I’m sure he’ll regret what he did.”
“If he doesn’t, I’ll personally make him regret it.” He turned away and walked to his building.
I watched him walk away for a moment, surprised he didn’t ask me about Zach, and then I continued on my way.
Nine
Sicily
Can you just tell me why? Zach’s message lit up my phone.
I was in my little office next door to Dex’s at Kline Clinic. He was in his lab down the hallway, and he had a couple meetings throughout the day. His research project was still in its infancy, but he’d applied for clinical trials since you had to do that so far ahead of time. I was scanning all of his work and formatting it into digital folders, so he could pull it up wherever he was without having to haul a big bag of papers everywhere. Does it really matter?
What I liked most about Zach was how laid-back he was, how he could flirt without being sleazy, how he was just generally in a good mood and took nothing seriously. It was just easy with him. But all of those qualities couldn’t outshine the big flaw he had.
If it didn’t matter, would I be asking you?
The only reason I didn’t tell him was because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Maybe he wasn’t right for me, but some other woman would love how ambitious and aggressive he was about accumulating wealth. In fact, most women would like it. But knowing my family lost their savings to pay for my surgery made me realize money was the root of all evil, a tool to keep people oppressed, to control everything in this world. If Dex had been there, my family wouldn’t have lost everything they worked so hard for just to save my life. You care too much about money. There, I said it. It was done.
The dots didn’t appear.
I hoped I didn’t offend him, but he was the one who pressed for the truth when I’d tried to spare his feelings. I was as diplomatic as possible, wanting to be friends and on good terms, which was true.
But then he called me.
I let out a loud groan when I saw his name on my screen. I answered. “Zach, you asked.”
“I know, I know. I appreciate your honesty. But…I guess