Page 75 of Sing Your Secrets
“You’ll always have a special place in my heart, Reese. I probably would be here on bended knee begging you to take me back if I wasn’t in love”—his eyes shift nervously—“and engaged.”
“Engaged?” My voice cracks.
“It’s recent.”
“Wow.” Sue me. It hurts. Petey never entertained the idea of marrying me. I wonder what kind of woman could get through to him. I try to hand back the flowers. “Congrats. I don’t think your fiancée would like you giving another woman flowers.”
Refusing to take them back he says, “It was her idea. I’m trying to make amends for a lot of stupid stuff I’ve done. She thinks it’ll help inspire me again.”
The way his tone drops, I know what he’s saying. “Are you struggling to write again—” I stop myself and bite my bottom lip. My heart jolts alive, the way it always has when Petey needs me. But I’m not his to need anymore. There’s a different leading man who needs my support these days. “Sorry, not my business. Um, thank you. These are nice. I like these better than the others you sent because they’re simple.”
He chuckles, his face landing in a knowing smirk. “By the way, I know you refused the other deliveries. The little kid from Luxy’s Floral finally ratted you out after I wasted literally thousands of dollars there.” Harry. I chuckle to myself picturing him as the Robin Hood of luxury floral bouquets. I wonder who he gifted my flowers to.
“Well, that’s what you get for breaking my heart. I waste your money.”
He doesn’t laugh with me, he just stares at his designer sneakers. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s a joke, Petey.”
“Can you ever forgive me?”
I hold up the flowers. “Today, I’m a little bit closer.” I give him a clipped smile, then relax my lips. “Look, I’m in a good place. So, don’t worry, okay? And truly—congrats.”
“Thank you.” He blows out a long breath. “I hope your dad is just as forgiving.”
Feeling multiple buzzes from my back pocket, I pull out my phone and check my friends’ group messages.
Addie:Pieces, samosa order is under Sassy V. Gyna. Should be four boxes.
Me:*eye roll emoji* You guys are obnoxious.
Addie:Sorry. Mani made me.
Mani: *laughing emoji*
After checking the time, I tuck my phone back into my pocket. “I have to run upstairs. I’m already late to meet my friends. Sorry, what did you say about my dad?”
“He’s next on the apology tour.”
“Petey, you have nothing to apologize to Mac for.” He follows me to the elevator. After pressing the up button, I spin around. “Unless I’m missing something?”
“No, but I can’t imagine he’s too thrilled with me after you and I broke up.” You mean after you dumped me? “He cashes his checks, but he doesn’t talk to me.”
The whirring of my building’s elevator kicks up and I mentally debate whether I’m going to invite Petey to walk me to my door. Somehow that feels like crossing a line. I know too well what it feels like to be the woman worried at home.
“What do you need to talk to him about?”
“Word is he’s out of prison for good?” I nod in response. “And sober?”
I nod again. “He’s doing really well…and my parents are together.”
“What?” he squalls in surprise as his eyes pop. Finally, someone who gets it.
“Weird right?”
“Hella weird. But anyway, my contract with my label is up. I’m not making another album for Elite Records with their tired-ass producers.”
For the third time during this conversation, my jaw drops. “You’re leaving Elite?”