The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,209

would have lived with it. For her, I would have done anything.

So maybe it is for the best. I’m cleaning my slate and focusing on the things I can control.

Breaking up with Joni has been on my to-do list for months. After this fucking disaster of a weekend, I’ve decided it’s time.

She may be right on paper, but I’d rather have nothing than settle.

So, as we’re eating breakfast on the balcony of our hotel room, I tell her it’s over. She eyes me stonily while she finishes chewing her bagel and wipes her mouth.

“This is because of her.” She says icily.

“It’s been a long time coming.” I feel like shit because I know that’s what it looks like. But I need to do this before I leave.

She raises a skeptical eyebrow and purses her lips. “So, it’s just a coincidence that the day after you saw your little secret girlfriend from high school, you’re breaking up with me?”

“She wasn’t my secret girlfriend. And no. It’s not a coincidence.” I’m honest because whatever else I may be, a hypocrite isn’t one of them.

“She’s not good enough for you,” she says through taut lips.

“You don’t know anything about her or what’s good for me, Joni.” I say in a warning voice. I’m mad at Kal, but fuck if anyone can talk about her like that.

“Isn’t she getting married?” She looks at me like I’m the most pathetic asshole she’s ever seen.

She’s not wrong.

“So?” I shrug, the weight of resentment and disappointment has left me numb.

“So, are you running off together? She’s leaving her meal ticket? I guess it makes sense, you’ve definitely got deeper pockets.” Her sarcasm is ugly and dry and I’m an idiot for feeling like Kal is still mine to defend. But I do. I always will.

“You’re the one who cares about how deep my pockets are. And no, she’s not leaving him. I just don’t want this anymore.” I point between us. She curls her lip in disgust.

“So, after you spent the weekend humiliating me by mooning after her and practically making out with her on the dancefloor, you’re breaking up with me?” She laughs humorlessly.

“I’m sorry.” I say with as much contrition as I can muster.

“No, I’m sorry. That I didn’t dump you first.” She throws her napkin down.

I blow out a breath, “Me, too.”

We stare at each other. She’s beautiful. It would have been a lot more convenient if I’d fallen in love with her.

“I won’t take you back,” she says after eyeing me. Her is voice even. She’s not threatening me. This is the truth.

I nod in agreement. “You shouldn’t. You deserve a man who can love you. That’s not me.”

She sits down across from me, crosses her legs and assesses me coolly. “I’m not looking for love. I don’t believe in it the way you do.”

“The way I do?” I lean back and look at her like she’s grown horns.

“Yes. I’ve been very surprised at how sensitive you are, Remington.”

“I am not sensitive,” I growl. That gets under my skin. Because after this weekend, I feel raw.

“It’s not an insult, it’s just an observation,” she says evenly.

“I’m not insulted. It’s just not true. And if you don’t want love, why do you want to get married so badly?”

“I want power and freedom.”

“You’re already powerful, Joni. And I don’t see any shackles around your wrists.”

“Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there. And the only power I have is because my father is powerful. I’m just his daughter. I have ambitions greater than that. And there are some doors that will only open to me if I have a powerful, wealthy man beside me.”

“Well, shit if that’s all you want, there are about a hundred men in this hotel who fit that description.”

She scoffs. “Ninety-nine percent of them are either, too old, gay, or psychotic. It’s hard to find a good-looking, wealthy, young, straight man. If I’m going to let someone lock me up in the proverbial tower, I would at least like to enjoy the view.”

She looks me up and down like I’m a horse she’s considering buying. And I feel like I’m seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time.

“You’re cold, Joni.”

“As a brick of ice.” She clears her throat, but otherwise, she appears completely unfazed.

“So, you don’t really care that we’re breaking up?” I ask surprised.

She gathers her purse and phone from the table and stands.

“Like you said, there are a hundred men in this hotel who will