Page 82 of Big Girl Panties

He stared at me for a long moment, and I could practically see the lightbulb flickering on above his head.

"You're right." He tried to shove the sad gas station flowers into my arms. "Thanks."

"Nope, no thank you." I shoved them back, along with him, toward the door. "Good luck, Chris. May the odds be in your favor."

"I know it's none of my business, but…"

"You're absolutely right." I flashed a blindingly fake smile. "It's not."

He nodded, looking like he'd finally gotten a clue. "I was wrong about everything. I never should have agreed to your dad's deal, and I shouldn't have misled you. I never should have assumed that the dating world would be harder for you than it is for me."

"Dating sucks for everyone equally," I said philosophically. "It's like taxes but with more awkward small talk."

"You met someone pretty fast, though. Someone who's really into you." I couldn't help but smile at that, even with everything going on between Matt and me. "I mean, he did try to kill me at the gym."

"What?"

His face went through several expressions before settling on guilt. "I guess I should also apologize for your café."

Every warm feeling I'd had evaporated instantly. "You?"

"I was angry and I…"

"What the actual fuck, Chris?"

"I know, I know." He sighed, as if he were the victim here. "I'm sorry. I'll pay you back for everything. Just send me a bill."

"He knew it was you." The pieces were clicking together like a very messed-up puzzle.

"He cornered me at the gym and threatened my life. He also thanked me for being stupid enough to let you go."

I stood there, mouth slightly open, processing the fact that my ex had destroyed my café and that Matt had gone full protective hero mode about it.

"Maybe we can be friends?" Chris suggested hopefully.

I looked at him like he'd suggested we take up synchronized swimming. "No. Friends don't get angry and destroy someone's business. That's more like 'sworn enemies' behavior."

"I know, but that was before…"

"No, Chris." I used the door like a shield, pushing him back into the hallway. "I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors, and I will absolutely send you a bill that will make your credit card weep, but other than that, I don't want to ever see you again."

"Probably for the best," he called through the crack just before I slammed the door shut with the satisfaction of someone who'd just won an argument with customer service.

I leaned against the closed door, staring at nothing and feeling like I'd finally closed one chapter of my life while another one was waiting to be written. Karen appeared and rubbed against my legs, purring.

I opened my mouth to thank Karen for her moral support when another double knock echoed through the apartment, causing me to groan with the intensity of someone whose favorite TV show had just been cancelled.

Maybe if I stood perfectly still and didn't breathe, he'd assume I'd moved to another country.

Another knock, this one more insistent.

"Oh, for the love of…"

I spun around and yanked the door open, fully prepared to deliver a speech about harassment and the virtues of accepting rejection, but instead of Chris, I found Davina standing in my doorway with a grin that could only mean trouble.

"What was Chris doing here?" She jerked her head toward the elevators.

"Attempting to repent for his many sins," I said with enough sarcasm to power a small generator. "What brings you to my humble hermit cave?"