Page 25 of Must Love Fallen Angels

She unlocked the door and pushed it open.

“Wait!She cheated on me.She—she lured me away from you with sex and then broke my heart.I’m alone, Tessie.I’m lonely.”

Her heart twisted, but not out of pity for him.

He hadn’t come for her because he believed her to be his one great love.He’d shown up because he didn’t want to be alone.

“I’m no one’s second choice or safe landing after a breakup.Take your pitiful ass the hell out of Sable Cove and forget you ever knew me.I’ve moved on.So should you.”

She stepped inside, swiftly shut and locked the door, and leaned against the cool wood.

Her hands were shaking, and her heart was pounding.She’d never had any sort of confrontation like that before, but it was exhilarating.

She peeked out the blinds and saw he was gone.She wasn’t sure where he’d parked, but she hadn’t seen his vehicle at her cottage, so perhaps he’d been at the marina lot.

She opened the phone app and picked Venice’s number.

He answered on the second ring.“Hey, sweetheart.How’s your day been?”

“Wild.Can you talk for a bit?”

“I’m still on shift for another two hours, but I can stop by to see you for a break.Where are you?”

“The cottage.”

“I’ll be there soon.Is everything okay?”

“It is, actually.I just need to see you.”

“I’m on the way.”

The call ended, and she stared at the dark screen, then smiled.

Venice was dropping everything to come see her.He had shown her over and over this past week that he was putting her first.He’d planned a wonderful first date, he’d shared his home with her, introduced her to his friends…and now he was running to see her.

Although she’d never put it into words, it was what she’d always wanted.

She paced in the living room, her sandals clicking softly on the wood floor.Her nerves were buzzing, but not from fear—from the intensity of it all.The confrontation, the finality.The way she’d shut the door on her old life without a moment’s hesitation.

A vehicle door slammed outside.

She went to the window and peeked out the blinds, seeing Venice’s truck next to her car.He was looking around, scanning the area, and then he walked toward her front door.

She breathed out a sigh of relief.

She opened the door as he reached the porch.She hugged him, and he immediately hugged her back.

“Whoa, are you okay?”

“I am now.You won’t believe what happened.”

She pulled him into the house and told him about Evan.

He snarled softly at the end of her story, anger flashing in his eyes.“What a dick.”

“I know!”she said with a chuckle.

He pulled her in for a kiss and a hug.“I’m proud of you, Tessa.You held your ground and stood up for yourself.”