I couldn’t take my eyes off Crosby as he walked away. Each step seemed to tug at the cavity of my chest a little more. I bit down on my lip, using the pain as a distraction, a reminder that I couldn’t run after him. If I did, I’d only be courting a greater heartbreak. And I wasn’t sure I’d recover from the one already tearing me in two.

45

Crosby

“God, you look pathetic.”

I glared at Hunter over my Guinness. “Thanks for that.”

Ford glanced up from filling a pitcher of beer. “He’s not wrong. You are looking a little rough.”

I knew they were right. I felt like death warmed over. But that’s what happened when you barely slept for three days. It turned out I’d gotten used to having Kenna’s body curled into mine, her adorable little snores and mumbles in her sleep. Now, all I had was my cold bed and sleepless nights.

Ford handed the pitcher to one of the new waitresses. “You rethinking your life choices?”

I popped a French fry into my mouth but barely registered the fried tastiness. I was rethinking everything. I’d been an asshole to Kenna when she ended things, and we hadn’t spoken since. I needed to make that right, but I knew that facing her would bring it all back. I wanted her more than my next breath, so why couldn’t I let myself go there? The minute I considered it, my chest tightened, and I couldn’t seem to get a full breath. Kenna was right, I was running scared. And didn’t that just make me feel like a pansy-ass?

Hunter held up his empty bottle to his brother, silently asking for another. “I think that quiet brooding over there is definitely a sign of some regret.”

“You two are worse than nagging grandmas. Hell, you’re worse than Penny.” She’s been harping at me to set things right with Kenna since the moment I walked back into the office and threw a stapler at the wall.

Hunter scowled at me. “I’m not a nag. I just know a good woman when I see one. And I know not to waste that shot.”

My hand tightened around my glass. Hunter knew too many good women. “You just don’t know how to hold on to them, right?”

He turned to face me. “Well, maybe it’s time I changed that. If I ask Miss Kenna on a date, should I take her to The Cove or Rocco’s?”

The fierce desire to throttle Hunter shocked the hell out of me. He was just giving me shit. But I knew that it wouldn’t be long before some asshole did ask Kenna out. Maybe that smarmy accountant she’d been dating would come back around.

“Uh, Hunt,” Ford started. “I wouldn’t poke the beast if I were you.”