LOGINSIENNAâS POVI glared daggers behind me, through the mirror as I finished unpinning my hair.Leo was already stretched out on the bed like he owned it.Which, apparently, he now did.I moved slowly, deliberately, letting the quiet thicken between us as I placed my jewelry on the dresser, each soft clink a small act of defiance.My reflection looked composed, perhaps too composed for the storm simmering under my skin.Why had I even married this man again? Oh yeah. I needed a foot into the Ashbourne family. And in doing so, I'd bound myself to the most irritating man ever.I would've gone for Everett if not for the old lady and Anyta!âWhen are you ready to go back to your room?â I asked calmly, as though I were discussing something trivial. As though my chest wasnât tight with the effort it took to sound normal.Leo scoffed, then exhaled a bored sigh. The sound scraped against my nerves. âWeâve already been through this before, darling. This is my room now.âI turned to face him. He w
ANYTAâS POVI dragged Clay into the menâs room before I could lose my nerve. He followed me with no resistance.The door swung shut behind us, and I opened my mouth to speak, but something else snagged my attention.My eyes narrowed, âhuh. How's this place soâŚclean.âClay glanced around, then nodded solemnly. âIâm surprised too. This is, without question, the neatest menâs room Iâve ever been in.âI snorted despite myself.âNo, seriously,â he continued, warming to the topic like this was the most natural conversation to be having after he clearly purposefully crashed my date.âI once went into a hotel restroom during a business event and someone had taken a massive dump in the sink.âI pressed my lips together, fighting the laugh clawing up my throat, and cut him what I hoped was a deadpan glare.Clay poked the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing, though his eyes betrayed him completely.The movement was mischievous and sweet. It sent a traitorous flutter through my chest.I st
CLAYâS POVI noticed Anyta the second I walked in.It wasnât a conscious thing. It never was with her.My eyes just instinctively sought her out, before my brain caught up.I'd noticed her before she saw me.The restaurant faded into background noise for half a breath as my eyes found her table.She was sitting across from him.Jamie.For some reason I'd tried to picture him through the few descriptions I'd forced out of her. He didn't quite match my mental sketch, thankfully.But Anyta was leaning closer to him too, laughing.The sight landed somewhere unpleasant in my chest, sharp and irritating, like a pebble in my shoe I couldnât ignore.Then her eyes lifted.They met mine. And suddenly it was like a shutter was drawn down her face.Her amusement was gone in a blink, replaced by a mild look of frustration.Anyta rolled her eyes, then pursed her lips.It hit me so hard I nearly laughed.Instead, I bit the inside of my cheek, hard enough to ground myself, and kept walking like I had
ANYTA'S POVMy heart lurched as the memory jar twisted open. I exhaled deeply, holding Jamie's gaze steadily.âThatâs⌠a loaded question.âHe raised his brows. âI like loaded questions.âI studied him for a second, debating how much to say. Then I decided, why not? If I was going to keep doing this, going on dates, letting men see parts of me.I couldnât keep editing my life into something smaller and more convenient.It was better to be honest up front, that way they either left early, before it got too deep, or they stayed, knowing what they needed to.âIt was one of the toughest times of my life,â I said finally.Jamieâs expression shifted immediately, his focus sharpening visibly. âYeah?âI nodded. âI was very broke. One of the many disadvantages of marrying really young and without my own money.â I shrugged. âMy ex-husband cut off all access to him after heâŚafter the divorce.ââThat's terrible.â Jamie stated quietly, âdid you not plan for divorce settlements or something?âA knot
ANYTAâS POVTwo minutes after we sat down, I turned my attention to the expensive looking room, as my date shifted in his chair.âDo you like it?âI paused my appraisal of the well decorated, prettily-lit restaurant, and gave Jamie a small smile.âYeah, it's really nice.ââWhew,â he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. âIt's my favourite place, but I realize now that I probably should've asked if you wanted to go somewhere else? Perhaps your favourite place?ââNo,â I shook my head. âThis is fine, don't worry.âNervous silence stretched between us, and I inwardly wished a waiter would come over and break it.Jamie was sitting across from me, the sleeves of his crisp, navy-blue shirt rolled up to expose another expensive looking watch.Laura was right. The man looked rich. Not in a look-at-me-iâm-wealthy kind of way. His was more subtle, a bit understated.Jamie's posture was relaxed, his eyes warm as they held mine, until I felt my lips slowly tipping upwards in a smile.His li
ANYTAâS POVâYou know you're actually kinda of a liarâŚââWow.âI blew out a laugh as I met my bestfriendâs gaze through the computer screen.âYou aren't going to ask me why I made that statement?âClay shrugged, briefly poking his tongue against the inside of his cheek. âI usually don't ask questions about answers I'm not completely ready for.ââWell I'm gonna tell you anyways.ââOf course you would,â he chuckled.I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. âYou told me you were finally getting into dating but I haven't seen or heard anything about you going on one since then.âHe arched one straight, full eyebrow, âthat doesn't make me a liar though.ââIt does if you don't actually plan on getting into the dating scene again.âClay opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it and smirked sweetly. âYou're lucky I don't argue with pretty women.ââWhat about the ones you don't find pretty?âHe shrugged, âI don't argue with them either. And for the record, I always find something prett







