Page 153 of Traces Of You

“That’s not true,” she argued.

“You know it is,” Cassidy said.

Her phone beeped in her hand and she dropped it down to look at the pictures that had just popped up.

There was her boyfriend leaning into Lana. Their arms around each other, kissing in some practiced pose they must have had to put themselves in to reconnect with each other.

Damn it. She wanted to do one of those retreats with him! And he took the woman he was cheating on her with.

Her blood was simmering, the top ready to pop with a loud whistle filling the room.

“I think I’m going to lose my breakfast.” She jumped up fast, stubbed her toe, hopped around and reached for it. “Shit, shit, shit.”

“What happened?” Cassidy asked.

“I hit my foot on the end table.” Tears ran down her cheeks. She wasn’t so sure if it was the ache from her toe or the pain of a broken heart.

“Sit down again,” Meredith said. “I don’t want to rush over there and take you to the ER.”

She moved to the couch, her body sliding down as if her bones liquefied, like the snot running out of her nose. She wiped it away with the back of her hand. “How could he do this to me?”

“Because he’s a douche,” Cassidy said firmly.

“You never liked him.”

“Nope. I said you could do so much better. Do you need an accomplice to spray paint his car when he gets home tonight? I’m your lady.”

She forced out a laugh through her sobs. “I enjoy painting but not that.”

“I’m sorry, Meredith. I wish I didn’t have to tell you this, but it’s better you know, right?”

She nodded her head, but no one could see her sitting alone, which was a good thing since she was a mess right now. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Do you want me to come over so I can be there when you confront him?”

“No. I need to figure this out first.”

“You’re not going to listen to him and, like, forgive him, are you?”

Cassidy’s appalled voice made her laugh. “Never.”

“Do you want to keep talking?”

“I need some time to think before he gets here,” she said and hung up without saying bye. Rude of her, she knew, but there was too much going through her mind.

Two hours later, she was still in that spot on the couch, her paper hearts on the counter a distant memory.

Desire for revenge was coursing through her veins like it never had before.

She was surprised, appalled and pleased at the thoughts she’d come up with.

“Hi, Meredith,” Fredrick said when he walked in the front door with his bag over his shoulder. “Did you miss me?” He let out one of those stupid laughs of his, annoying shivers slithering under her skin.

She plastered a fake smile on her face. “Always,” she lied.

He moved over to give her a hug and kiss on the lips. She felt repulsed and wanted to yank back. Even slap his face.

But what she had planned was much more satisfying in her mind.