Every Sweet Regret (Orchid Valley 2)

Dean grimaces. “I don’t think that’s true. She doesn’t want to own up to whatever it is she told you. How she feels about you hasn’t changed.” He drains his beer and tosses it in the trash. “Do I wanna know what this secret is?”

I shake my head. “Not all secrets need to be shared with the world. You’re better off not knowing this one.”

“What are you gonna do?”

I grab a beer for myself and think of Stella as I take a long drink. “I think I have an idea.”Chapter Twenty-SixStellaGoodHands69: I know we don’t talk anymore, but I could use a friend right now.I blow out a slow breath and read it again, hearing the words in Kace’s voice and feeling a little more heartsick. I keep telling myself I’m going to delete my account. But I never do. And this is exactly why. I hoped he might eventually message me again.

“What is it?” Savvy asks softly.

I’m sitting at her kitchen table and gathering information Abbi’s lawyer friend needs while Savvy futzes around in the kitchen. When I moved out of the pool house, we took all my furniture to a storage unit, and I moved into Savvy’s with two suitcases, a pillow, and a broken heart. Her couch isn’t the worst I’ve slept on, but I sure hope I can find a long-term solution soon.

I turn my phone so she can see the screen. “He wants to talk.”

Savvy frowns. “You have to tell him anyway, right? Eventually? So talk to him. Be there for him. He might not know this is you and you’re her, but you are the one he wants to talk to.” She screws up her face and shudders. “What a mess. Go be the one to listen.”

I know I need to tell him. Putting it off has only made me dread doing it that much more. But then when I tried last night, he ended up finding out about Dean and Amy first, and then I almost let him fuck me against a window. Clearly, I have no self-control.

ItsyBitsy123: Are you okay?

GoodHands69: Not really. Remember how I told you I was seeing someone else? She dumped me, and while I didn’t really understand it at the time, some things have come to light that helped me understand. I’d do anything for another chance with her.My heart stutters, revving for a race I’m not sure I’m ready for. Does he know?

ItsyBitsy123: Maybe she’s not who you think. Maybe it’s better that it’s ended now.

GoodHands69: Actually, I know her pretty well. I’ve known her since we were kids, and I’ve always cared about her. But I fucked up. My divorce left me pretty insecure about relationships, and I thought all I wanted from her was sex, but it was always more than that. From the very first touch, it was more. In fact, I think that’s why I liked talking to you so much. Every message you sent me reminded me of her. I always heard your words in her voice and imagined her talking to me.

And then I fell in love with her.He loves me? But he wouldn’t if he knew the truth.

I drop my phone and put my face in my hands. “I can’t do this.”

Savvy scoops up my phone, draws in a ragged breath, then strokes my hair. “Girly, I think you need to keep reading.”

I take the phone back and reluctantly look at the screen. There’s a new message.

GoodHands69: We all have secrets, and I used yours as an excuse to choose Stella. Which, as I’m sure you’re aware, is pretty damn ironic. Just so we’re clear: I don’t give a shit about the videos—though I’d like to get a crack at the guy who uploaded them. All I care about is the sexy, freckle-faced woman I love giving me another chance.

GoodHands69: Come to the door so I can tell you to your face how I feel.I look up at Savvy. “I don’t understand. Does he know?”

There’s a knock at the door, and I gasp and press the back of my hand to my mouth. Maybe he doesn’t mean that he knows. Maybe that’s not him. I’m too scared to hope.

Savvy folds her arms, and the knock comes again. “Get the door, you fool.”

I’m shaking. I’m surprised my legs carry me, and when I pull the door open, I’m so happy to see Kace on the other side that I nearly fall to the ground.

He’s carrying a giant bouquet of yellow roses and a Who Framed Roger Rabbit DVD. “ItsyBitsy,” he says softly. “Always climbing, always getting knocked back down.”

“I’m sorry.” My voice cracks. “I should’ve told you. I thought you knew, and then . . .”

“I know,” he says. He presses the hand holding the DVD to his chest. “I know you have every right to send me away and shut me out of your life, but I’m asking you to listen to what I have to say. If you still want me to leave after that, I promise I won’t bother you again.”