Love Blown Away

Less than thirty seconds after I posted to my feed, Cassidy Solen's call came through.

"I told her to go pick you up, not sleep with you."

Her voice came through clenched teeth, sharp with fury and past caring what she said.

"You act so above it all, and this is how long it takes before you can't stand being lonely?"

I listened to the barbs in her voice and felt strangely calm. Probably had been that way ever since I found out just how hard she'd been trying to get rid of me.

Three years ago, Cassidy had started seeing other men. I'd fought her on it at the time. All she'd given me was, "You're overstepping. Worst case, we get a divorce."

Every question I had died in my throat after that.

But I couldn't let it go. So many years together, and she'd changed her mind just like that. I'd fought to save it. She was the one who grew tired of it first, growing more and more impatient with me, and then came the cold shoulder.

Then, three months ago, she'd started sponsoring Faith Cameron out of nowhere. I only found out later that she'd meant for Faith to seduce me all along. The moment I slipped up, she'd have her excuse to leave.

I laid it out plainly. "Cassidy, isn't this exactly what you wanted? You went to so much trouble pushing her at me. Wasn't it always for a day like today?"

Two seconds of silence on the other end, then the crisp click of a lighter.

"Arnold, don't paint me as the shameless one. You're the one who's cheap."

"Sure. I'm cheap."

I played along, the corner of my mouth twisting up. "If it disgusts you that much, worst case, we get a divorce."

"Divorce?"

She took a drag of her cigarette, her tone turning colder.

"You think I'd care?"

She let out a cold laugh. "Fine. Since you're in such a hurry to clear the way for that poor student, let's get divorced."

The line clicked dead.

I turned around. Faith was standing by the bed, her expression composed, those bright, spirited eyes fixed on me without flinching.

"Mr. Kempton, are you getting divorced for me?"

Looking at her fresh, guileless face, I had to admit Cassidy had a vicious eye for picking people. She knew exactly my type and had gone out of her way to find someone who fit it.

For one moment, watching the faint flush creep up Faith's cheeks, something in me did stir. But it was only a moment.

"Don't read into it."

I looked away, my voice going distant again. "What I said to her was a lie. Don't tell Cassidy you were in on it with me today."

A flicker crossed Faith's eyes, and she nodded, easy about it.

"I know. Whatever you need from me, Mr. Kempton, I'll do it."

"All right. You've got class today, don't you? Go on."

I waved a tired hand.

Faith got to her feet and gestured, a little carelessly, at the clothes she was wearing.

"Mr. Kempton, my clothes are dirty..."

That was when I remembered. I'd thrown up all over her the night before.

I walked into the closet and grabbed one of my own white shirts without much thought.

"Wear this."

She put it on, quick and efficient.

My frame ran broad, and though Faith was tall for a girl, her build was still slim and feminine underneath it. The shirt hung loose on her, baring her collarbone and the faint suggestion of a figure beneath the fabric. That contrast of crisp confidence and quiet allure was more striking than it had any right to be.

"I'll get going then, Mr. Kempton."

She said it briskly and turned toward the door. Just as she reached the entryway, the fingerprint lock on the front door gave a sudden beep.