Burned Deep (Burned 1)

My thoughts instantly shifted to my mother. Making my spirits plummet further. I didn’t think that was possible. “Who?” I tentatively asked. Not really sure I wanted to know.

“Another skyscraper. A chick this time. Mikaela something. Legs as long as the pillars in the lobby.”

I groaned. “Please don’t remind me.” She was outrageously gorgeous. And clearly quite clever, knowing how to keep Dane at her beck and call while she played damsel in distress.

Would she be delighted I was no longer in the picture?

A no-brainer, Ari.

“Do you know what she wanted?”

“Dropped off a gift bag for you while I was in Dane’s reception area, delivering mock-ups.”

That seemed odd. “How’d she get onto the fourth floor?”

“Apparently, she has her own security badge.”

“What?” I stared, incredulous. Dane was a massive stickler for security and yet he’d issued Heidi Klum an electronic card? That made no sense at all. Nor did her bringing me a gift.

Except for that wise old adage—keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Was that what Mikaela was up to?

Well, fool on her. She didn’t have anything to worry about where I was concerned. Dane and I were over. That gave her the wide berth she needed, if her intention was to pursue him or to otherwise be the only woman in his life.

I tried not to seethe over that prospect. I had no right. I had no claim on him anymore.

We were over.

As more tears burned my eyes, Kyle turned his attention to the TV to keep from wallowing in my agony, I surmised. Switching it on, he surfed while I nodded off again, fatigued from my injuries, crying, and explaining everything.

When I woke in the morning, Kyle was crashed out in the chair, the sound off on the TV, though he’d clearly been watching it while I slept.

I forced myself up and made pancakes and coffee. The scent roused him and he joined me at the table.

“So, what happens now?” he asked between bites.

“I’m not going back to the Lux.” I sighed. That was a painful thought unto itself. Thankfully, I’d earned enough income while I’d worked there to feel comfortable with my nest egg. I had plenty to live off of until I got my wedding business back on track. Especially now that Dane had put an end to my mother’s attempt to extort money from me.

“What about Dane?” Kyle ventured.

“I’m not going back to him, either. I told you that.”

Sitting back in his chair, he eyed me curiously. “You can’t stay holed up here forever, Ari.”

“I don’t intend to, believe me. I’ll get my bridal consulting going again. I just have to wait for my face to heal so I don’t terrify anyone, looking like Frankenstein,” I tried to joke. He didn’t see the humor. Nor did I.

“What can I do to help?” he asked.

“This is perfect,” I assured him. “You came at just the right time. It probably wouldn’t have been a good idea for me to be alone much longer. I haven’t even showered.”

“That’s what that smell is.”

“Asshole.”

Finally, we laughed. And it felt damn good.

chapter 25