Page 18 of Capturing Love

Pete cackled and shook his head. “I can’t believe this. After two years, you’re telling me this now?”

“I’m sorry, Pete, I don’t want to lie to you. I thought my feelings would grow into something more, but…” I trailed off, not knowing how to make this easier on him.

“I thought when you gave me your keys, it meant you were ready to take our relationship to the next level.”

I winced. “I asked if you could feed and walk Luci, I didn’t mean to blur the lines. I would’ve asked my neighbour to do it, but he’s away at some tech conference.”

Pete ran both hands through his hair and groaned. “I’m such an idiot.”

“No, you’re not, I’m the idiot,” I said quickly. “You’re an amazing guy and you deserve so much more than what I can give you.”

“I’m totally fine with what I’m getting from you,” he said quietly, lifting his eyes to meet mine. “If you need more time, I can give you time.”

I held his gaze as Grayson’s voice played in my mind. If he doesn’t light you up, let him go. “I think I’ve wasted enough of your time, Pete.”

He pursed his lips, but I could see the anger building behind his eyes. “So, this is it then? You’re breaking up with me on our two-year anniversary?”

My eyes widened. Fuck.

He almost laughed. “You didn’t even know, did you?”

“I’m sorry.” I cringed, wanting to slam my head against the wall.

Pete shoved the little box into his back pocket. “I should go.”

I took a step towards him, but he held out his hand to stop me. “I’m fine. I’ll see you at work.”

Before I could find my voice, he stormed out of the bedroom and slammed the front door behind him.

Falling back onto the bed, I lay motionless amongst the sea of rose petals. I knew I’d done the right thing, but fuck, I felt bad. Pete was a great guy. He just wasn’t the guy for me.

“Trust me to mess everything up,” I murmured before my dog blasted into the room, preparing his attack on the heart-shaped balloons. “It’s what we do best, hey, Luc?”

My mouth curved into a smile when Luci growled at his floating tormenters, threatening their demise. As he leapt into the air for his first kill, I let out a small giggle. And when the balloon popped, sending him sprinting from the room with a whimper, I burst out laughing. Because just like Luci, I always took off when the shit got too real.

* * *

Dating a co-worker turned out to be one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had. Pete walked around the office in a heartbroken daze and everyone knew I was to blame.

Amy bounded into my office, quietly closed the door and squealed in delight. “About freakin’ time!” She clapped, then proceeded to perform a happy dance in front of my desk.

I hushed her. “Sit down. It’s bad. Everyone thinks I’m an evil bitch.”

A serious expression fell over her face and she dropped into the visitor’s chair. I loved how her moods were so flighty. Some people found her too erratic, but I thought she was fascinating.

“No one thinks that. Except maybe Janice in accounting, but she hates everyone.”

I laughed and rubbed my temples. I had a ton of work to do and all the drama in the office was hindering my productivity.

She leant over my desk and took my hand. Turning it palm up, she analysed all the lines and creases until a small smile played on her lips. “He wasn’t the one, never was.”

I was used to this sort of thing from our resident psychic. “I thought you loved Pete,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

She shrugged casually. “I do. I just love you more, and he wasn’t right for you. There was no spark.”

“Ah, the mythical spark,” I muttered with a chuckle. I had my doubts whether it even existed until I met Grayson. But what good was a spark if it didn’t ignite anything?

“So, how was Vegas?” Amy asked, smiling like she knew something.