Vick is married.
Even witnessing how this news has knocked the wind out of me, blondie continues. “Told him I was pregnant two months ago. When I woke up the next morning, he’d cleaned out our savings account and took off. His mother wouldn’t tell me where he was until I threatened to never let her see her grandkids.”
I move my gaze to her and see she’s watching me. I’m giving her exactly the reaction she wanted. Vick may be a deadbeat husband and father, but that’s not my fault. She came here to punish him by hurting me. She knew telling me would ruin any chance he had with me, which is one hundred percent true, but her method of doing this was harsh. She didn’t have to hurt me to hurt him. Or maybe she did, but she could’ve been nicer . . . or more delicate.
Connor turns back to her. “You’ve said your peace. Now go,” he orders her.
Blondie backs away and shakes her head. “Should’ve known he’d go for the first easy piece of ass in town,” she jabs.
Connor lurches forward, but I grab his arm, stopping him. I know he wasn’t going to hurt her, but he was probably about to yell some choice words. Stepping around him, I look her in the eye. “We haven’t slept together. I’m not sure if that’s what you want to know or not. But you have my word we haven’t done anything beyond kiss.”
Her blue eyes run up and down me, her distaste of me evident. “Women that wear dresses like that are looking for more than kissing.”
My fists clench at my sides as I fight to maintain calm. I don’t need to stoop to her level. I don’t need to insult her. I don’t know her, and she doesn’t know me, which makes this whole conversation ridiculous.
“You can leave now,” I answer with a patient smile. “I’ll let Vick know you stopped by.”
Shaking her head again, she spins around and climbs back in her car and takes off. As soon as her car is out of sight, Connor turns back to me, an unsure and sad smirk on his face. His shirt is dirty with oil and grime, and sweat covers his brow, but he looks handsome as ever.
“I tried to get her to leave before she got to you,” he manages.
“I know,” I answer numbly. Looking down at myself, I’m surprised I’m not more upset. I mean, I was going to sleep with this man tonight, and I just found out he’s a married liar. I’m angry he lied. I’m embarrassed I was so easily swindled. But deep down I’m so grateful. However rude his wife may have been, she saved me from making a huge mistake. I look down at my dress and sigh, my eyes tearing up. I’m such a fool. How could I have been so na?ve? Not wanting to get emotional in front of Connor, I blink my tears back and take a deep breath,
“Looks like a waste of a good outfit,” I pout, hoping to ease the awkwardness radiating from me.
“Give me five minutes,” Connor says, as he turns and heads for the stairs to his apartment.
“What?”
“We’re going out tonight. Give me five minutes to get ready.”
He disappears inside his apartment, leaving me standing in stunned silence.
We’ve been sitting at the bar for two hours, and I am mostly drunk. The bartender has just placed a glass of water and chicken fingers in front of me. When I glance at Connor, he smiles, not looking at me.
“Eat,” he orders.
I nibble on the chicken fingers and gulp the water. I fully intend to drink more beer, but I figure it’s best not to argue with Connor about the food and water.
Another two hours pass and I’m wasted. Lexi showed up and joined me in a Vick hating rally where the more you drink, the less hate you felt. Connor has kept close all night, watching us, sipping beer and warding off women trying to catch his eye.
When Lexi takes a bathroom break, I join Connor at the bar again.
“I think every woman in this place wants to go home with you tonight,” I murmur. I know I shouldn’t say things like this to him, but I’m too drunk to care.