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“Okay. That’s a start. I’ll take it.”
Ben climbs to his feet. I think he’s going to take my hand and pull me up to him but he doesn’t. “You make one hell of a case, Victoria.”
I smile up at him as he pulls up his fancy suit pants and buckles his belt. The wrinkles in his perfect suit make me swell with pride. I love the idea that he’s leaving here with the evidence of me all over him.
“Does that mean I get the job?”
He laughs and shakes his head, turning back to the bed where he left his phone. I watch as he switches it back on and tucks it into his pocket. “I can’t stay.”
“Oh. That’s fine. Just, you know. You have my number. You can unblock it if you want.”
He pauses by the door and looks back at where I still sit. If he was expecting me to get up and run to him, he doesn't show his disappointment. “Bye.”
“Bye.” My word is practically a whisper compared to his firm command.
I watch the door close behind him.
And then I collapse.
I’m on the floor with my skirt around my waist, dripping cum, and he just walked out. The tears are automatic, heaving out of my chest in sobs so loud I wouldn’t be surprised if Ben could hear them from the street.
This is my lot in life, I guess. The woman who gets tossed aside. Unwanted. Good enough to fuck but never good enough to date. Nothing serious.
How could I have let this happen? I was so sure that my plan would work.
I guess I was wrong.
After a while the tears dry and I lay quietly on my back, looking out the window at the clouds. The catharsis from the punishing game with Ben and then the actual punishment of being left and crying my soul out leaves me feeling gutted, tired, and somehow calmer. Free.
I gave it my all. I gave him my best. I owned up to my mistakes and apologized. I told the truth about my feelings even when I wasn’t sure they’d be returned.
I showed up here as the woman I want to be in life.
I wasn’t handed the grand prize, but I’m still that woman. Even sitting here alone, unsure of how to go on, I’m still her.
And I think I like her.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Ben
“Why didn’t you tell me Victoria was in New York?” I bark into my phone as my driver closes the door behind me in the backseat of the town car.
It’s not much of a greeting, but I’m not feeling particularly cheerful after this new bout of deception.
Ainsley laughs. “You saw her, huh? How’d you like that suit we picked out?”
I grind my teeth and try not to yell. I will not talk about her with him like we’re pals. I cannot. This whole thing is just…too much.
“She told me you helped her get moved and whatnot.”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
Another laugh. “Why not?”
My anger seethes at his flippancy. “I can think of a few reasons why not. First of all?—”
