night punched me in the stomach
even before I opened my eyes. I dragged myself into the kitchen,
starting up a pot of strong coffee. The coffee wasn't even brewed
before my phone started ringing.
Grabbing the handset off the coffee table, I
checked the caller ID. It was Jenna. There was no way I could talk
to her now. I put the phone down ignoring the annoyingly shrill
ringing. The girls wouldn't understand my pain. They would be
gushing over my 'amazing' sex with Jake and saying 'who cares if it
was just one night". I had too much pride to admit that for one
tiny moment, I had let down my guard and had hoped that maybe Jake
could feel something more for a girl like me.
I collapsed onto the couch, head in my
hands. I wasn't going to waste one more tear over Jake. I'd tell
the girls that Jake just dropped me off at home and that was it.
Then I'd wipe him clear from my memory.
The coffee maker beeped, letting me know it
was done brewing. I stood to pour a much-needed cup when I noticed
something out of place on the floor. It was Jake's cowboy hat. It
must have fallen off my head when we were kissing. I thought back
to how excited I had been when he had placed it on my head. His
off-handed remark about taking me horse back riding had planted the
first tiny seed of hope in me. It had almost sounded like he was
asking me on a real date. I had tingled with excitement at his
words, but all along he had only been interested in a quick
fuck.
I angrily scooped up the
offensive cowboy hat, crushing it in my hands. I would toss it in
the garbage - it would serve him right! I was about to throw it out
when I noticed some writing on the inside of it. Curious, I looked
closely at the faded words printed inside the hat. For Neil With Love Forever Cassie
Anger surged through me.
That lousy cheater had a girlfriend! And he used a fake name with
me! A cold rage seethed inside me. Jake, or Neil, was the worst kind of man. I
wouldn't waste another tear on him. He wasn't even worth another
thought. Somehow, on those long lonely nights, I would have to
convince my body to forget he ever touched me. I dumped the hat in
the trash, disgusted by the mere sight of it.
I was halfway through my cup of coffee when
the doorbell rang. Despite my vows to forget him, my first thought
was Jake. Chiding myself, I rose to answer the door. If it was
Jake, I would rip his eyes out. But he would never show his face
again, he already had got what he was after. I settled my nerves;
Jenna had probably rushed over because I was avoiding her
calls.
I opened the door to a face full of red
roses. About two dozen. I stood in the doorway, holding the
beautiful arrangement, thinking I should outright reject the
delivery, but the delivery man scampered away quite quickly. I
retreated to my kitchen, debating my action. I wanted to throw them
out just like the cowboy hat, but they were so beautiful, it seemed
like a waste. But how could I enjoy the flowers if they
continuously reminded me of Jake?
I sat at the table staring at the bouquet.
Finally, I plucked the card from the arrangement and tore it
open.
Krista, It was all a big misunderstanding.
Please let me explain to you. Call me. Jake
His phone number was scrawled across the
bottom.
I stared at the
card. Jake . Yeah,
right. What a liar. I ripped the card to pieces and then tossed it
into the trash. I would take the flowers over to the nearby nursing
home as soon as I was dressed.
I was so over Jake.
###
Coming Soon:
Dangerous Curves Ahead
2
***
Other Titles by Arabella Quinn
If you enjoyed Dangerous Curves Ahead,
you'll enjoy The Billionaire's Son series:
The
Billionaire's Son
At the request of Jackson Vaughn himself,
Julia has been working at the billionaire's estate for weeks. In
all the time she's been there, she has never run into a single soul
besides staff. One day, after showering off at the poolside cabana,
Julia discovers her clothes missing. Her timing