Page 27 (2/2)

That’s not why I’m here

I’h the pleasure rates a distant second in priorities

“Shane” I say his name slowly In all the time I dated Max, I called him Mr Alby A necessary distance between us, a reminder of what he was to me—only ever my boyfriend’s father I rip down that distance now and stare up at hi years ignoring and denying

I’ve spent two long years ignoring a whole lot

Shane’s dark eyes go wide and then hot before he shutters his response, locking hiht But, almost as if he can’t resist, he swipes the pad of his thuain “Tell me what happened”

“We’re over” My voice catches, and I hate that it catches “No going back, no crossing Go, no collecting two hundred dollars Really, really over”

He nods slowly and then gives my hand a squeeze “Sounds like you could use a drink”

“I could use about ten, but one’s a good place to start” At least he isn’t kicking ht? I follow him to the kitchen and watch as he opens the liquor cabinet and picks through the bottles

He barely glances at ht?”

“Yes” Of course he remembers my drink I bet, if pressed, he also remembers my birthday and a whole host of other details that slip pastmy ex

But then, Shane isn’t most people

Heat ether a drink for each of us I don’t knohat to do with my hands once I don’t need them for warmth, and the coziness of the te My dress is barely long enough to cover the tops of arter belt, I have nothing else on beneath the thin fabric of the dress I’ht scandalous and Shane has barely looked at h the door