Page 102 of Twisted Beauty

As she stared out the window, she thought about the last few weeks she’d spent with Matt. The way he looked at her and touched her. The way he listened when she spoke. He seemed to genuinely like who she was as a person.

The sex was incredible, no question about that. But she liked him too. She liked hanging out with him, talking about everything and nothing at the same time, laughing with him. He was the whole package. She shook her head as she wiped more tears from her cheeks. What were the chances he’d changed his mind too? That she wasn’t alone in wanting more? Probably slim to none, but she owed it to herself to find out.

Liv fished out her phone to let Katie know she’d survived, but there was only one person she wanted to talk to. Someone with milk chocolate eyes, a head of lush, dark hair, and a dimple that appeared when he flashed her a smile meant just for her.

On my way back. Could really use that third tequila shot right about now. Please tell me you didn’t drink it.

She pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes, hoping she didn’t look like complete crap.

Several minutes later, she sent another text. Katie?

Why didn’t she answer? She was supposed to be there waiting for Liv with tequila. And life support.

Liv’s stomach lurched as the taxi made a hasty turn. But it wasn’t the ride making her queasy. At least not entirely. It was one of those gut feelings, telling her something was off.

But that was silly. Matt and Zach were at the condo too. They were probably all out on the deck drinking tequila without her, and Katie had left her phone inside.

She texted Matt. On my way back. You still at Katie’s?

The sound of the tires bouncing over the cobblestones droned on for several minutes, but her phone was silent.

She studied her screen. Five bars. Full service. No messages.

Was something wrong? Matt didn’t exactly look happy when she left to meet Grant. But—well, there was no way he knew where she’d really gone. Katie would never tell him.

Unless…maybe there was something more important he’d wanted to say to her out on the balcony. Like goodbye. She wrapped her arms around herself and shut her eyes. God, what if he’d figured out how she felt about him? She was crap at hiding her feelings, and this weekend might have been a little too much for him.

The thought of saying goodbye to Matt suddenly seemed worse than saying goodbye to Grant. Unreal that she’d actually managed to get herself in this deep so quickly. But there were plenty of times over this last weekend she’d have bet money that Matt felt the same.

This was the longest taxi ride ever. She drew in a deep breath. She needed to calm down. It was just a few hours ago that she and Matt had gotten off that boat together holding hands and kissing. Her imagination was in overdrive after the shit afternoon she’d had. That was all it was. Probably. Maybe.

Fuck.

She tried to ignore the pit in her stomach. But when had this feeling in her gut ever been wrong? The answer was a big fat never.

24

Matt

Matt swung open the door to Katie’s condo, stepped inside, and slammed it shut behind him.

If he hadn’t seen this same goddamned thing with Sadie, he might not have listened to his instincts. He might have missed that slight twitch of Liv’s lips before she mentioned her errand. The furtive glance she shared with Katie before she left.

He might not have decided to follow her downtown.

Even then, he hoped like hell he’d find her meeting with a friend about a wedding. That she’d told him the truth. He should have known better.

Grant’s voice echoed in his head. A secret rendezvous, if you will. The sight of her with that asshole shouldn’t have shocked him at all.

Fucking hell.

The way they were holding hands and staring at each other over wine on their lunch date was a punch in the gut. She’d obviously gone back to him.

No wonder she left the Malecon in such a hurry this morning. What would her precious fiancé say if he saw her with Matt?

There was just one thing he couldn’t grasp. Why hide it? Why not just leave?

He’d asked himself the exact same thing the day Sadie served him with divorce papers. Only once he read her terms, the answer was painfully clear. She wanted his house, his money, his car, and whatever else she could get her greedy little hands on. And her surprise attack helped her get it.