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There’s something wrong with me, I thought as I picked up the phone and made the order for the bouquets.
Who is Sean giving them to?
I looked at the address and realized it was near New Jersey.
I gulped. Did Sean have someone else he was seeing? Was this his breakup routine with her while he got on with me?
I’ve sent the flowers, I texted him back an hour later.Anything I should know?
Feeling my mouth run bitter and dry, I wrapped up work and took the elevator down to the lobby while I waited for a response from him.
Central Park was in the distance, all lush and green, and the sidewalks were bustling with people getting ready for their runs. I couldn’t help but remember the first time Sean and I had met at Central Park with Lucas.
I didn’t hear back from Sean for a while after that text. It was after six, and he could have been in meetings with other people, at a bar or something. I wished I could’ve accompanied him to the conference. At least I could’ve had a reassuring smile from him to stop my brain from spinning out of control.
The air was crisp while I raced to the subway station, a gentle breeze sweeping around me and the sky clear in the distance.
That evening, when I was at home, I got a response from Sean.
Sean:Can we talk when I’m back?
Which meant the answer wasn’t pretty.
I groaned and hung my head. I should’ve known better than to think of dating my boss. He was confident, handsome, moved around in social circles that I had no way of fitting into. Everything I didn’t have. Going out with him had been a dream—that was all.
I settled back on the couch and turned the TV on. Henry was in his room, on the phone with the campus safety team about a lack of fire and lockdown drills this semester, and I had no one for company but myself.
The doorbell rang, and I forgot all my worries in excitement.
It’s Sean, I told myself, practically bounding to the door before I realized how stupid this was. He was in DC.
When I flung the door open, it definitely wasn’t Sean.
My heart sank to my stomach when I saw Will.
He was looking at me, a contrite expression on his face. And he was holding flowers.
37
CHLOE
Istared at Will, my heart beating rapidly. I felt let down. I wanted to see Sean badly. I just realized the full extent of my want right now.
I was still trying to reconcile my disappointment that this wasn’t Sean when Will spoke.
“Chloe, I need to talk to you,” he said.
I blinked.
Sean was the handsomer, more powerful, and dominating version of Will. Which meant I needed to keep my heart locked up and away before I began anything with Sean.
My body definitely wanted to be back in his arms. I wanted to be touched by Sean and caressed by him. But I sure as hell would not let myself go through heartbreak again.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, taking a step back and looking at Will.
He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry, Chloe. I thought it would be a good idea to talk to you in person. I want to apologize for the way I behaved last time.”
I didn’t really care for his apology. The man who had fled at Henry’s rightful outburst? Argh. But I did want him to make the effort—to hear him admit that he’d hurt me.