Even Wolfe’s texts were ignored more and more. David would regularly check her phone to make sure no one was bothering her from the hospital. Sure, she tried explaining that her phone was personal, but when he got upset and subtly suggested she was trying to hide something, she gave in. The consistent texts from Wolfe made David question the whole basis of their relationship. After all, if her best male friend wasn’t her future husband, what chance did they have at making a marriage work?
It had made sense at the time. Right? Yet she never really told Wolfe what was going on. She just stopped responding until their communication slowed to a dribble.
Confusion swamped her. She didn’t know what was right or wrong anymore. Today had been amazing. She’d forgotten how much fun it was to let the day guide you. Meeting new people without worrying if she was flirting or giving off mistaken vibes. Being silly and impulsive without being gently scolded. It was almost as if she’d escaped from prison.
Was that what she equated David with? Prison? He’d never done anything to hurt her. Never, ever hit her. He’d been patient, and told her every day how much he loved her, lived for her, and dedicated his time to making sure they had a perfect relationship.
“Gen?”
She shivered again. Funny, Wolfe had said her name a million times over the years, but lately it sounded more intimate. A low, sexy growl. Is that how he acted with the women he took to bed? She knew he liked a bit of domination. Did he grip her wrists and whisper in her ear while he pounded inside her, taking her on a wild ride where nothing else mattered but orgasm?
“You’re blushing.”
Gen grasped her water glass and chugged. She was officially losing her mind. She’d never fantasized about Wolfe in bed before. Not like . . . that. Then again, her emotions were so raw and strange, she shouldn’t be surprised. She pulled herself together and forced herself to meet his gaze.
“Just got warm. Wolfe?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry.”
He lifted a brow. “For what?”
“Letting you go.” The shock in his blue eyes startled her. So vivid and naked, delving deep inside and plumbing every secret she had. Her thighs tightened as sudden lust struck her right between her legs. “I—I didn’t realize what I was really doing. David was angry over our closeness, so I stopped texting you and following through. It seemed easier that way. I started to pull away from the girls, too, but he got focused on you and used to ask if—if we were fooling around. He got mad when you called. I didn’t know what to do so I began ignoring you.”
He leveled her with his gaze, taking in her halfhearted apology. How awful would she feel if Wolfe suddenly replaced her because his new girlfriend was jealous? She’d be hurt. Angry. Resentful. Not once had he ever spoken badly about David, or gotten pissy with her. All those dates she broke at Mugs, and calls never returned.
The loss of her friend washed over her.
“I understand, sweetheart. I do. Gonna have to be honest here and admit it stung. I felt like I was losing you, but didn’t know what to do. What the hell did I know? I never had a serious relationship.”
She swallowed past her shame, but once again, with his truth came acceptance. “Can you forgive me?”
“If you promise not to dump me again for the next best thing. Especially Ed.”
He smiled, and her heart exploded. She loved his smile. The stark features in his face softened, and she never felt so cherished as when she was receiving such affection. “Never,” she whispered.
“Deal.”
They finished their food and she pushed her plate away. Time to dive into the only subject left undiscussed. She gathered her courage. “How bad is it?”
Wolfe didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “The calls? I told Kate and Alexa we need some time. I turned my phone off this morning.”
She winced. “I left everyone with a mess. I’m such a coward.”
“If you were a coward, you would’ve walked down the aisle and married him. Say that again about yourself and I’ll have to teach you a lesson.”
She choked out a laugh. “Yeah, you’re real scary.”
“I can be.” Their gazes locked and she swallowed. There was another side of her friend leaking out, one she’d never really seen before. It made her a bit uneasy.
And hot.
“I have to go back.”
“Of course you’re going back. But you needed space so you could figure out why you really left. Let me be clear. You’re walking back into a clusterfuck. Questions, accusations, family chaos, and David trying to manipulate you. If you don’t have your head clear, you may do something you regret. Go back on your own terms.”