His eyes scanned my face one more time, giving me that crooked, sad smile of his. I had no doubt he’d be so drunk later, he’d sleep where he fell.
“Despite what you think,” he said, “I did love you.”
“Fucking a whore in our bed was a funny way of showing it.”
“You’re right. And I live with that mistake.
See ya round, Taryn.”
I took a deep breath as I watched him leave, relishing the fact that he no longer held my heart.
As for the new military man in my life standing a few feet away, Ryan had some explaining to do. With slightly shaky hands, I quickly texted him.
“You have something you forgot to tell me?”
My phone rang twenty seconds later.
“Is he gone?”
I finished my drink. “Yeah, he just left.
You pissed him off.”
“Good. He better not make a habit of coming around.”
“I love it when you get jealous. Makes me feel wanted.”
“I’m serious, Taryn. He even stops in for a beer I want to know about it.”
“I’m not going to run off with him. You don’t need to worry. So when were you planning on telling me I am under surveillance?”
“You’re not under surveillance, hon. We hired private security to keep an eye on things since we’re not there. But we’re coming home next Friday. I have four days off.”
Hearing that made my day. “You’re coming home?”
“Yep. We’ll be in around two. I really hate that you’re not with me. I can’t sleep without you.”
“I can’t sleep, either. I’m so used to feeling you next to me . . . Thanks for hiring someone.”
“Mike and I are splitting it.” My head spun. “Why is Mike paying for my security?”
“He’s not. Security is for the both of you.
Mike is worried about Gary. Apparently his security background check revealed that Gary owns a lot of guns.”
“He does, but . . .” The thought of Gary attempting to harm Marie was infuriating.
“Hang on. I want to go upstairs.” I slipped out of the booth and grabbed Thomas’s empty glass. Marie was behind the bar just a few feet away. I ducked into the kitchen, walking past quizzical looks from Pete and Tammy, and hit the apartment steps to continue my private conversation with Ryan. “I don’t understand. Why does Mike care? Marie’s not even speaking to him.”
“Yeah, Mike said she’s avoiding him but he’s planning on fixing that. Listen, you have to talk to her. I know things looked bad but it’s nothing like it appeared and now that those pictures were published he’s pissed-off and miserable.”
“What do you mean things aren’t what they appeared to be?”
My mouth hung open as he told me the rest of what Mike was really up to.
As soon as we ended our call, I ran down the steps and grabbed Marie.
Chapter 13
Uncovered “I hate funerals,” Marie said softly as we drove away from the cemetery.
My heart was aching; the sight of seeing a casket tethered above a gaping hole brought back too many bad memories.
Seeing Thomas looking so wiped out was painful.
Just seeing him a few days ago was enough to make me replay every word we’d exchanged, each fond memory I had of him—everything. I hated him for making me reminisce.
Marie stuffed a tissue in her purse. “I can’t believe she’s gone. I didn’t even know she came home.”
“I know. I’m glad they didn’t put her on display. Melanie would not have wanted that.”
“No,” Marie agreed, wiping her nose again. “She would have bitched to high heaven if her family did that to her.” I saw her look over at me. “How are you doing?” I met her eyes. “I’m okay.”
“Spending some time on Memory Lane?” Marie knew me so well. “Kind of hard not to.”
“Well, snap out of it. Ryan doesn’t need to see that deep-in-thought pouty look.” I eyed her speculatively. “You may want to take your own advice there, missy. You still have to deal with Mike.”
She grinned to herself. “I know.”
“So, did you forgive him?”
“Yeah.” Marie nodded. “He told me that she had some personal matters with an ex who was harassing her. He didn’t go into details but I believe him.”
“Good.”
She twisted her hands nervously. “I just don’t know if getting involved with someone is wise right now, you know? I spazzed over a stupid magazine cover.”