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“There’s nothing to talk about, but whatever.” I walked away and into an empty office down the hall. I turned around and stared at her. “What is it, Claire?”
“I’m sorry, Nick.”
“You already told me you were sorry that night.”
“You didn’t give me a chance to explain. I’m sorry I hurt you. I honestly didn’t mean to.”
“See, here’s the thing, Claire. If you didn’t mean to hurt me, you would have told me about your family from the beginning. God, what is it with you women not meaning to hurt someone long after the fact?” I shook my head. “That’s the same thing Katrina said to me on our wedding day. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you, Nick.’ You’re only sorry after you get caught.”
“That’s not fair,” she said. “And I’m not your ex.”
“Just admit that you used me to get to them,” I voiced loudly. “That night, when I told you about Christian, you invited me to your apartment.”
“Even if you hadn’t told me, I would have invited you in,” she said. “I felt a connection to you, Nick.”
“Right.” I breathed out a laugh. “And that’s why you wouldn’t let me stay, or you wouldn’t stay at my place after sex. It was like you couldn’t get out of there fast enough.”
“I told you I had my reasons.” She looked down.
“And that reason was you weren’t interested. You only wanted to get close to me because of your family.”
“That’s not true. And I let you stay, and I stayed, eventually.”
“Yeah, but you still wouldn’t tell me why you were so hesitant in the first place. Just another secret,” I said. “I don’t even know you, Claire Monet, or should I say Kind. All we did was have sex, and that was good enough for you. For me, it was more, and it shouldn’t have been. I have major trust issues when it comes towomen, and you reinforced that for me when I found out who you really were. You can say you’re sorry a thousand times, and it wouldn’t make a difference. What we had is over.”
“Wow, okay.” She nodded. “I fucked up. I’m sorry. People fuck up, you know. I came here hoping you’d forgive me, and we could start over. I miss you, Nick. And believe me, I don’t say that to anyone. I haven’t since—you know what? It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.” She stormed out of the office.
Claire
I ran to my car, climbed in, and laid my forehead against the steering wheel. Coming here to talk to him was a bad idea. I didn’t intend to, but I was at a shop across the street and kept staring at the building, wondering if he was working. Fuck this, I needed a drink, so I drove to the brewhouse.
Taking a seat at the bar, John, the bartender, smiled.
“What can I get you, Claire?”
“Double scotch. Just leave the bottle on the bar.”
“Tough day?” he asked, pouring my drink.
“You could say that.” I picked up the glass and threw it down the back of my throat.
“Claire.” Sebastian smiled. “Drinking already?”
“It’s five o’clock somewhere.”
“I have to get over to Emilia’s.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“See ya, Sebastian. John?” I pointed to my empty glass.
After he poured me another scotch, I picked up the glass and thought about Nick. I wasn’t one to pour my heart out to anyone,but with him, it came easily. I was hoping we could start over. I was wrong. He wanted nothing to do with me, and it hurt like a bitch. My heart hadn’t ached like this since I stood on the porch of my home, and Steve told me it was over.
I drank too much. I could barely keep my head up.
“Claire, I texted Sebastian and told him you’re in no condition to drive. He’s sending one of your brothers to come get you.”
“Thanks, John.” I laid my forehead on the bar.
“Hey, you,” I heard Simon’s voice.
