Page 154 of Bitter’s Sweet

I look at him.

Really look.

“You told me no other women.”

His face changes.

Trixie’s eyes snap to him.

I keep going because if I stop now, I might never get the words out.

“You didn't imply it. You didn't let me assume it. I asked you because I told you before we ever got into that bed that sex with you meant more to me than casual.”

His jaw works.

“You said no other women. You said we didn't share.”

“Sweet.”

“Did you or didn't you?”

His silence is an answer.

“No,” I say. “Say it.”

He looks like he wants to tear his own skin off.

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, what?”

His eyes close for half a second.

“I said it.”

My chest caves in around something sharp.

There.

Not a misunderstanding. Not a technicality. Not me wanting something he never offered.

A promise.

And cheating.

Trixie slowly turns toward him.

“You told her you were exclusive?”

He says nothing.

Her face transforms. The embarrassment disappears first, then the sympathy.

What replaces both is anger.

“You fucking asshole.”

“Trix.”