“Dude, I’m starving. I. Need. Food,” Finn said, pulling my attention away from the television. It wasn’t like I was really watching whatever was on. It was only a way to appear like I was doing something so he wouldn’t bother bringing up Leigh. I had avoided that conversation with him. He tried. I had to give it to the boy. He was persistent as hell in trying to find out what happened.

I blinked, seeing him standing beside my recliner with his crotch in my face. “Bro.” I shifted back, putting my hands up. “What the fuck? Way too close.”

“Oh, you like this more?” He shifted around, sticking his butt over the armrest. “It would be even better if I took my shorts off, just saying.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” I looked back to the television, realizing that it was on the cooking network. No way he believed that I was watching some baking competition. I thought I’d left it on HBO?

“I changed the channel about an hour ago. You never even noticed. So, I know the shit you was trying to pull.” He sat down on the end of the couch, but leaned over toward me, his chin resting on his hand.

“What?”

“Are you ready to open up now? You’ve been staring hard at these chicks cooking shit. I figured that would’ve put you more in touch with your female side. You know, so we could talk about our feelings and all.”

I picked up the remote and hurled it at him. He dodged the hit to the chest and took it on the arm. His hand went to the spot it had struck as his eyes widened.

“No need to get violent. Now we can talk about what happened, or we can discuss what song I’d like you to sing at my funeral when I die of hunger. I’m thinking that song, ‘The Wind Under My Wings’ or some shit.” He took on a dreamy look and began to sing, “’Did you ever know that you’re my hero…’” His expression grew serious. “Because let’s face it. I know I’m your hero.” He put his hand across his heart and bowed slightly as if accepting some type of honor for the delusion he’d just spouted off.

I wasn’t about to touch that. It would make him launch into an hour-long debate about how we went so far back and all the things he had done for me in the past.

“Why don’t you go to the kitchen and make something? There’s food in there. No reason for you to be so hungry.”

“Have you ever seen me try to cook? It doesn’t end well. I burn ramen noodles in the microwave.”

“How is that even possible?”

He shrugged. “So, spill.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning farther back into the recliner. “What do you want to know? I was a dick to her. She split. She’s probably already back in Arizona by now. If I was her, I probably would’ve left the next day.”

He groaned. “It was that bad, huh? Shit. I really thought you were over all that and had decided not to be an idiot with this one.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. “We were friends. She was getting too attached just like they always do when I make it clear that all I want is to be friends.”

“Yeah, yeah. I can see that with the girls before, but not her. Come on, dude. Doing the shit y’all did together, you can’t tell me she was the same as all the others.”

I slammed the leg part of the recliner in and jumped to my feet to pace a minute before turning back to him. “It was nothing. I would’ve done all that with any of those other girls. But she deserved a better way of me breaking it off. I’ll admit that. I think I crushed her.”

“What did you do?”

“I had too many drinks. Both of us had. We ended up back here. She passed out before it went all the way. But it sent the wrong message. It was my fault she thought we were more than what we were. I should’ve had the balls to come out and tell her I didn’t want to see her anymore. But no, I had to get drunk and ruin it. She woke up, and I basically told her to leave in a really harsh way.”

Finn gave me a disparaging look as he seemed to be processing everything I’d rattled off. “So, no way to make this better? You don’t want to give her a call or anything?”

I stopped and stared at him. “No. It’s for the best. Now let’s go get some food. I’m actually pretty hungry, too.” I wasn’t. The last thing I wanted to do was eat. But it was something to change the subject. All I wanted to do was forget about everything that had happened the morning she left.

I followed Finn to the front of the house then paused for a minute to grab the keys from the table beside the door. “I’m in the mood for some Mexican. I haven’t blown the toilet up in about a week.” He rubbed his stomach. “’Bout time to clean the pipes out.”

“Well, you make sure to do that at your house.”

We climbed into my truck, and I turned the key in the ignition.

“Aw, come on. But you’ve got the good toilet paper here.” He laughed, twisting the knob on the radio and drowning out the silence. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. No matter what kind of crazy came out of his mouth, I was glad I had Finn. He had helped me through the hardest time of my life. I might even sing that song for him if something ever did happened to my bud. Of course, it better not. I wasn’t sure I would know what to do without him.

“You know you’re my best friend, right?” I blurted out.

He slapped me on the back. “I know. I know.” He didn’t elaborate on the awkward conversion, only continued to sing along with the radio.

I would get through this. In another week or so, I wouldn’t think about her as much, and soon not at all. Life would be back to normal. I would go to work. I would hang out with Finn. I wouldn’t worry about anyone but myself.

I pulled into the parking lot, finding a space near the front of the restaurant. As usual, the place was packed. I leaned back, taking in the scene through my window. This was where I’d found out her name. Leigh. Clark.

She’d ruined me.

“You okay?” Finn asked. A grin slowly spread across his face. “This is where we ran into her after she hurled on you. You want to go somewhere else?”

I shook my head.

“Good, because I don’t know if I could give up this place. Even for you.”

With a flick of my hand, I gave him the bird. “Get your ass out of my truck.”

We miraculously managed to get our usual table out on the patio and ordered a round of drinks and something from the starter menu. I stared toward the water. I focused on not thinking about anything. Clearing my mind was hard to do.

“A beer and a White Russian,” the waitress said, putting the drink in front of me. “Your appetizer will be out shortly, but anything else I can get for you guys right now?” Her eyes lingered on me before lightly touching my forearm.

I glanced down at the interaction. It churned my stomach to have her hand on me.

Nonchalantly, I twisted around in my chair, pulling my arm away from her. The last thing I wanted was her to think I was interested. “That’s all. Thank you.”

She nodded and turned, leaving us alone. Finn leaned over the table. “What are you doing? That girl was all but screaming for you to take her in the bathroom and fuck.”

I didn’t answer.

“You need a distraction and that was it.” He pointed in the direction she had gone.

“No thanks. I’m good.” I brought the drink to my lips and tilted it back. Returning the glass to the table, I smacked my lips. “Good drink. I might need to give the bartender a fat tip. Wonder who’s working tonight?” I shifted to the side to peer around a group standing a few feet from us.

My mouth gaped when I focused on Leigh sitting at the bar. She nodded, her lips moving as she said something. I looked in front of her and found a guy. Pulling back, I focused harder, trying to remember where I had seen him. Then it clicked. Russ. She had shown me pictures of him. Guess she had moved on. It was quicker than I thought. Apparently, I hadn’t hurt her as much as I’d thought.

I eyed the two of them, the distance only a few strides away. I could reach the guy within seconds and slam a fist into his face. What the hell was she doing here with him? The dick had left her for another girl — had a baby on the way for crying out loud. She had been heartbroken over the bastard the night I threw her into the ocean. Now she was here with him like nothing had happened? Like everything was peachy-fucking-keen?

Finn must have followed my line of sight. He let out a low whistle. “Damn. I was expecting her to be gone by now after you — well, you know.”

“It’s whatever. I don’t care that she’s here,” I lied. I downed the rest of my White Russian and ran my tongue over my teeth. Then I picked up the menu and pretended to look over the specials. “What looks good tonight?” When Finn didn’t answer, I lowered the menu and glanced over at him.

His brows rose.

“What?”

“Dude, don’t try to play this off like it doesn’t bother you. I know you. I can tell.” He pointed at the menu.

My fingers were gripping the sides so hard the plastic was bending. I slammed it down, racing a hand through my hair. “So what if it does? It’s not like I can go over there and do anything about it. I told her I didn’t want to see her anymore. She’s free to be an idiot and date a guy who left her for someone else.”

Finn’s head darted between me and them. “So, that’s the ex?” I nodded. “Oh, you can’t not go over there.”

“Why should I? It isn’t my place.” I tried not to look back over at them, but I failed.

Leigh’s hair was curled, hanging down the middle of her back. She wore a halter-top that showed off her shoulders and her midsection and a pair of tight shorts. Russ touched her shoulder. She tensed, but didn’t bother pushing his hand away. I swallowed as he dropped it to her thigh and inched its way up near her crotch. Red spotted my vision. A shrill sound echoed within the base of my skull.

Without realizing it, I stood and sent my chair crashing to the floor. Somewhere among the haze, I thought I heard Finn’s voice calling my name, but I didn’t turn around. Leigh and Russ were the only ones I could see.

Before I reached them, she turned and our gazes collided. For a second, her eyes widened with what looked like relief, but that was quickly replaced with anger.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you here,” I said with a sneer. My stare veered to Russ and lingered there. He wasn’t much to look at. He was lucky someone like Leigh had given him the time of day. “Going to introduce me?” I asked her, not taking my eyes off him.

“This is Russ. Russ, this is Luca.”

He smiled.

I wanted to break all of the teeth from his mouth. I stuck my hand out. “Heard lots about you.”

He took my hand, and I squeezed.

“Really?” he squeaked. “Haven’t heard anything about you other than you work at the marina. Of course, Leigh and I haven’t done much talking since I arrived, if you know what I mean.”

“Russ—” Leigh tried to interrupt.

He held up a hand, and instantly she shut her mouth.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. This wasn’t the same girl I had been with these past several weeks. This guy was all wrong for her. He fed on her weaknesses.

“I see.” I avoided her stare. “She’s a real firecracker to be with. I’d know.” I wanted him to think the worst. Even though we had never had sex, I knew in his mind that was where my statement would take him.

Russ stared at me, obviously thinking over what I’d said, then laughed. It wasn’t a comical, friendly laugh. It was the asshole laugh as if to make fun of me.

I straightened to my full height, towering over him. “Did I say something that amused you?”

He blinked, his eyes darting between Leigh and me.

Too late to look for a way out, dude. I cracked my knuckles. The motion drew his attention down to my hand, which was a little eager for him to say the wrong thing.

“No. I just… well, I never pictured Leigh hanging out with someone…”

“Maybe we should go, Russ. I’ve lost my appetite,” Leigh said.

“Nah. Home-dude is going to finish what he was saying first,” Finn jumped in from out of nowhere. He was antsy, bouncing from foot to foot.

Leigh’s mouth opened, but she remained silent. Her eyes found mine, practically pleading with me.

Russ set his drink down and then ran a hand across his now-sweaty forehead. “I was saying… How do I put this politely? Well, Leigh’s a very intelligent woman, so she usually puts herself around more goal-oriented people.”

Finn jumped at him, making Russ veer back and hold up his hands defensively.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with being a deckhand on a boat, if that’s what your career ambition is in life.”

My jaw locked. So the prick thought I wasn’t good enough for her? In some ways, I agreed with that. Leigh was pure, innocent, and didn’t deserve someone who wasn’t able to give his heart to her. I couldn’t. But my career choice had nothing to do with the matter.

Before I could open my mouth, Finn interrupted. “You so have that wrong, dickhead. You’re looking at the CEO of the Belle Boating Company. In case you aren’t sure of what that entails, let me just break it down for you. Luca has millions. Let me repeat that, millions of dollars in the bank. He owns more land and boating equipment than he’ll ever know what to do with. He could buy you if he wanted. So, it looks like you’re the one in this equation who’s lacking ambition.”

Russ’s mouth hung open. “Sorry. I didn’t know.”

I shook my head. “It’s something no one in my personal life knows except for Finn…” I glanced to my friend and gave him a malicious glare. “…at least not until now.”

Leigh’s crystal blue eyes settled on me. What is she thinking? I hated people assuming I was some rich kid growing up when my father ran the business. That was why I never told anyone about owning the company when I met them. I liked for them to think I was a worker. People tended to get stupid if they knew they were in the presence of a millionaire. It was mostly because they wanted something from me. Especially women.

I knew she was studying me, trying to reason why I hadn’t told her. Her confusion was clear as it laced her delicate features. I would have given anything to know what was going through her mind. She probably hated me even more.

My fingers flinched, wanting to reach out and touch her. But I couldn’t. I had made the decision to push her away. It was the best thing for the both of us, whether she knew it or not.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t about to have this guy think he was better than you. No way. By the way, how’s the girlfriend that you left Leigh for? Or the baby that you were having with her?” Finn asked. I guess belittling the guy by career and success comparisons wasn’t enough. I knew Finn. He was hoping for a reaction to warrant him hitting this asshole. That was why he continued to push.

Russ’s face reddened as his focus went to Leigh. “You told them about that?”

She cowered back. Something in me stirred. Her movement reminded me of the scared girl I had run into on the beach. The girl who stayed that way until she started learning how strong she truly was. Then it clicked. Russ was taking her back to that place. The place she had fought to put behind her these past several weeks. I struggled to maintain my control. It wasn’t my place to say anything. If she wanted to return to the way she’d been, there was nothing I could do about it.

“I’m sorry,” she said barely above a whisper.

Russ turned his back to her. “Let’s go. You’ve embarrassed me enough here tonight.” Without waiting for her to answer or gather her belongings, he stalked off in the direction of the parking lot. Her eyes stayed low as she scooped her purse up from the bar and threw a twenty down to cover their drinks. She turned and took two quick steps to the right, nearly knocking into a man approaching the bar as she attempted to dart around me.

I grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at me. I ached inside to hold her. A familiar pain filled my chest. The one that had been gnawing at me since the night I ended things between us. “I’m sorry for coming over here and ruining your date. I’m glad you two worked things out.” It was a blatant lie. I knew it, and from the expression she gave me, she knew it.

She yanked her arm free of my hand. “I need to go. He’s waiting for me.” She twirled around and walked away.

Guilt filled me. She was hurting, and I knew it was partly my fault, if not entirely.

It was over between us, and there was no one to blame but myself.