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“Thanks, Benji.”
“Listen, I know it sucks. I’m not saying I’ve been there, but...”
“You’ve never been here?” I asked, my voice tipping up in disbelief.
“Maybe. Perhaps once or twice. But I don’t have any kids yet. That I know of.”
“Fingers crossed I can join you in that club.”
“Don’t give up on Macy. She’s a cool girl, I really dug her. You guys seem happy together.”
I thought back to last night—dancing under the stars, holding her body tight against mine. Macy was amazing and real and gorgeous, and I loved her. The thought of losing her cracked my chest wide open and I fucking hated it.
“Keep the faith, Liam. It’ll all work out. And because you’re in a jam, I’ll buy you some more time with my family on the winery app. You want to surf later?”
“Not today, dude. I have to figure this out. But soon. And I’ll give you an answer on the app, too, once I get all this squared away. Promise.”
“Cool. Keep me posted.”
“Will do. Bye.”
I disconnected, the tiniest flutter of hope starting to wing around inside me. Maybe everything wasn’t lost after all.
* * *
Later that night,I sat on my balcony in the dark, a glass of Michter’s in one hand, the diamond necklace I’d given Macy in the other. My fingers ran over the smooth diamond, my chest aching as I stared down at the gem, glittering in the moonlight. I’d intended for her to keep the necklace; it’d been a gift. Instead, I found it in the bedroom with a note:
Liam—
I can’t keep this. It’s too much.
Macy
A pang of regret zipped through me and I squeezed my eyes shut tight, trying to block out the horrendous feeling.
It had been a helluva day and I wanted to erase everything that happened after eight a.m. from my mind; I hoped the bourbon would move me in the right direction.
Had I eaten anything today?
I couldn’t remember. Not a great sign.
Fuck it. Who cared?Macy was gone and that was all I could think about.
My heart literally ached. I always thought that expression was bullshit. Turns out, it wasn’t.
Another wave pounded on the shore and the ocean roared, angry again. Captured my mood spot-on.
I was angry. Angry that Aria showed up when she did. Angry that all of this unfolded. Angry that my love life finally took a decent turn and then BOOM. Explosion of the worst kind.
I wasn’t into drama.
Even worse than being angry, though, was being sad. And I felt that, too, sadness that reached deep into my bones.
And it sucked. I missed Macy—her citrusy smell, her soft skin, her warm body, her soothing, mellow voice.
Her curves, her kisses, her keening little purrs right before she came.
God...what I wouldn’t do to turn back time and erase Aria from my search history.
