Se connecterArlynAhI stretched and sighed, the afterglow of the night lingering in my muscles. Reid smacked my ass as he got up from the bed, still grinning like a man who owned the world.“I’m going to the kitchen to make breakfast,” he said, voice deep and teasing.I rolled my eyes but followed him anyway, padding barefoot behind him as he moved with that effortless, intimidating calm that always made me feel like I was both small and significant at the same time. I leaned against the counter, watching his broad back flex as he grabbed eggs and bread.“You feeling better now?” he asked, cracking eggs into a bowl, his voice soft but teasing.I leaned back on the counter, crossing my arms and smirking. “Honestly? I never loved Liam. I just felt bad, and… well,” I hesitated, glancing at him with a small grin, “you kinda fucked most of that guilt out of me last night.”His grin widened, eyes glinting with pride. “Damn right. That’s my job.”I laughed, shaking my head as he whisked the eggs with ex
ArlynI called Reid about an hour later after doing my best to calm my nerves.He picked up on the first ring.“How did he go?" He asked, breathless.“I broke up with him. He wanted us to go to Paris, but I broke up with him.” I said, the worst sounding hollow in my tongue.“Good. You did the right thing.”I almost laughed. The right thing?Sure, it felt good that I had finally stopped pretending that Liam and I were anything, but nothing about what I did was right, and I wondered what that made me.“Yeah, I know. Where are you? I need you.” I said, my voice small.“On my way, baby.”For a second, I forgot all the bad feeling I was feeling and all the guilt that seemed to settle on my chestFifteen minutes later, Reid was out the door. As soon as I opened the door, he was on me, kissing me like I was the only thing he could standI moaned against his lips, pulling him close.My clit throbbed and a pool of wetness formed around my folds.This was crazy. Just before he walked in, I had
ArlynI was nervous. More nervous than I had ever been in my entire life. Liam was attentive, sweet, and an angel.He opened the car door for me, held hands with me.I was nervous. More nervous than I had ever been in my entire life. Liam was attentive, sweet, and an angel. He opened the car door for me, held my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world, like we weren’t standing on the edge of something that could never be undone.“You okay?” he asked as he started the engine.“Yeah,” I lied, watching the city lights blur past my window. My reflection in the glass looked like someone else. Someone calmer. Someone who wasn’t about to wreck a good man’s heart.His thumb traced slow patterns over my knuckles as he drove. He always did that. Said it helped him focus. I used to think it was adorable.Now it felt like a countdown.We pulled up to a restaurant I recognized immediately. Candlelit patio. Soft music drifting out through open doors. One of those places where waiters s
Arlyn.“I have to get ready.” I said,not making a move to leave the bed.”Liam will be here very soon.”Reid's hand tightened around my waist.“Can't you blow him off today, so we can laze around in bed all day?”I chuckled.”No, he claims he has a surprise. Besides, the sooner I break things off with him, the better both of us.“Have I told you I love you today?”He nuzzled my cheeks, and I smiled.He went quiet at that, studying my face like he was trying to memorize it. “Have I told you I love you today?”He nuzzled his nose against my cheek, and I smiled despite the knot in my stomach. “No, you haven’t.”“I love you.”The words slid over me warm and heavy, sinking deep into places I had tried not to acknowledge. My chest felt tight in the best way, like my heart didn’t know how to hold that much feeling at once. Being here with him, tangled in my sheets, felt unreal. For so long this had only lived in stolen glances and almost-moments. Now it was real, and terrifying.I reached up a
ArlynI got home later that day, pacing my room, and wondering how the fuck I was going to end things without looking like a villain.Jane already said it was better to drop the band aid off, but how could I do that to him?He was trying“Fuck!” I snapped into my empty apartment then made my way to the fridge.I needed a confidence booster. Something that would make me feel better.I plucked the tequila from the top shelf and poured four shotsI took each one faster than the last.I was about to take the last shot when I heard a loud bang at the door.I padded my way to the door, checked the peephole, it was Reid.I quickly opened it, and dragged him inside.Reid stumbled a step when I yanked him in, barely getting the door shut before he started talking.“Okay, first of all, hi to you too—”I cut him off, pressing my back to the door like the wood could hold my life together. “This is a mess. A whole mess.”“What happened?” He asked, concern etched on his face. “Did Liam do something
ArlynLiam entered the cafe, his eyes fixed on me.“Liam, hey.” I stood, walking over to him.“Hey, baby.” He smiled, his eyes flickering towards where Mark sat before planting a kiss on my cheeks.“Hey, I wasn't expecting you so soon.”I said, nervously.“I wasn't expecting to be here so soon. Actually I wasn't even expecting to see you here.” he said, holding onto my waist so if he let go, I'd disappear into thin air.“Yeah. I'm with a friend. We have a lot of classes together. Come, I'll introduce you both.” I dragged him for lack of anything else to do.Liam came with me easily.“Mark, this is my uh…boyfriend, Liam.” I said, clearing my throat.“And Liam, this I Mark, my new friend. He has a band and he is pretty awesome if I do say so myself.”“Nice to mee you.” Liam shook his hand.I could sense a bit of tension between them, but it was gone when Liam smiled“Nice to meet you.” Liam said.“Glad to see my baby making friends.”I cringed at that, but surprisingly, Mark nodded. He







