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The mere mention of her caused Michael’s heart to speed up “Dahlia?”

“She owns the gift store on the boardwalk A talented artist, makes her oelry She also does the costumes for the Winter Carnival” He wore a sreat”

So in Michael “Sounds like you know her quite well”

Jeff’s smile wilted a little “I used to know her quite well”

What the hell did that mean? “Hoell?”

Hearing the hint of accusation Michael couldn’t hide, Jeff’s gaze jerked to him and his eyes narrowed “We dated”

Jealousy seized Michael Vicious and ugly, twisting his gut Was this the guy? Was this the guy who otten her aduy who pushed Michael out of her thoughts for a while She also admitted she broke up with him “Dated? Past tense? Who broke up ho?”

Jeff sat up, his expression carefully blank “She broke it off Woman has commitment issues”

“You didn’t want it to end?”

“This is feeling like an interrogation” Jeff scratched his stubbled jaw “No, I didn’t want it to end Dahlia’s pretty special”

Jesus fuck

Michael looked away, his jaw clenched tight He liked Jeff Respected him He did not want to fuckin’ resent him

“How did I not put two and two together?” Jeff sighed heavily “You’re both fro?”

Clearing his throat of the thick ball of emotion, Michael shook his head “We were I’ You over her?”

Jeff didn’t answer Instead, they shared a look filled with a lot of unspoken things and the easy ca up between them from the moment they met was altered Tension shifted between them Tension Michael hated