Which is fucking ridiculous.
She’s my best friend.
And I’m not fucking that up.
One nine-year relationship in flames is plenty for one lifetime.
I wrap a towel around my waist. Cinch it tight. Stare at my cell as the call goes to voicemail.
My phone sings again.
She’s still infecting the air. Robbing my life of every ounce of pleasure.
My last drop of calm evaporates. I need another shower. I need a thousand showers. I need to scrub away every memory of her.
No, I need more than that. I need to step out of my skin and find some new body. One that won’t react to Penelope Winters.
I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Whatever her bullshit reason for calling, I’m not letting her believe I’m a mess without her.
I answer the call. “Yeah?”
“Oh. Ryan. I thought I’d get voicemail.” Her voice is soft. Sweet.
The same voice she used to whisper I love you the first time.
Then to whisper I’m sorry, but I don’t love you anymore.
My stomach twists.
My chest gets heavy.
Her voice undoes me. Sends me right back to the moment where my heart shattered into a million tiny pieces too small for anyone to see.
A million tiny pieces that tear up my skin anytime I get close.
It bounces around my brain.
I’m sorry, but I don’t love you anymore.
I press my back against the wall, but it doesn’t do shit to steady my thoughts. “Is this important? I’ve got a lot to do.”
“It will only take a minute.”
It’s been nearly a year since I’ve heard her voice. I can still hear the Penny I fell in love with. But there’s something else too. Some person I don’t recognize.
“How’s the shop?” she asks.
“Good. We bought it from Manning.”
Her voice perks. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s amazing, Ryan. Perfect for you.”
“Thanks.” My voice wavers. I press my palm against the wall. Owning the shop is perfect for me. It’s what I’ve always wanted. Hell, it’s the only thing besides her I ever really wanted.
But why the fuck is she happy about that?