“Don’t be a moron,” he scolds with a shake of his head. “You’re a smart man. You know this one is different. Stop denying it.”

“Okay, fine.” I sigh, raising my hands to shut him up. “So what if I do? I can’t force her to dump the primate. And besides, it’s been so long since I’ve, I don’t know, romanced a girl, I wouldn’t even know where to start,” I confess.

Hunter suddenly slaps the back of my head and I grunt on impact. “What the hell was that for?” I ask, rubbing the back of my skull.

“Romanced a girl? Seriously, what era are you living in? You say that shit to her and the only person you’ll be romancing is my grandma,” Hunter says, pulling a repulsed face.

“If there’s a point to this story, get to it,” I say, still rubbing my skull.

“Madison is not just a girl. She’ll call you out on all your bullshit ’cause she’s real. Whatever you’re doing is obviously working. She’s here now, isn’t she?” he questions, waiting for me to answer.

I nod because he’s right.

“Don’t fuck this one up, man, ’cause she’s special. I think I may be a little in love with her,” he confesses, waggling his eyebrows, and an unexpected wave of jealousy passes over me. “Ooh, I haven’t seen that look in a long, long time. It suits you.”

“What are you talking about? What look?” I ask, wanting to know if I’m really that obvious.

“The look of actually giving a shit. You’re not a whore, Dixon. Deep down, you’re a big, cuddly teddy bear who’s had all his stuffing ripped out by some sadistic little bitch. But piece by piece, you’re slowly getting put back together again, and you’re just waiting for the right girl to give you a big cuddle and make you whole again. Oh, and I’m not talking about only cuddling the good bits.” He playfully swoops forward to tickle my stomach. “Who’s a big, cuddly teddy? You are. Yes you are,” he coos, while I punch him in the nuts.

He wheezes before turning red, and I laugh. “That’s payback, you idiot. And by the way, that was the worst analogy ever. Please refrain from giving me a pep talk ever again.”

“I take it back,” he gasps, holding his junk. “You’re a homicidal teddy bear.”

“What’d I miss?” Madison asks, and raises an eyebrow when she sees Hunter doubled over, still holding his nuts.

“Oh, nothing,” I casually reply with a wave of my hand. Madison laughs as she takes a seat near me.

As she leans forward and innocently reaches for her beer, I see Hunter’s eyes widen in delight. He’s just been rewarded with a tiny glimpse of what she’s packing underneath that tight top, and he obviously likes what he’s seen. He subtly bites his knuckle while nodding his head, silently voicing his approval while I turn my eyes upward.

“I better get going,” he says, getting up and fake yawning to display his staged fatigue.

“Oh?” Madison says, her back instantly straightening, and I notice her poised composure slip.

I have no idea what that’s about, but she has brought to my attention the fact that Hunter probably shouldn’t be driving. “You can crash here. I mean, you’re in no state to drive.” I look at the empty beer bottles littering the coffee table.

“As much as I love you, Dix, I’m not sleeping with you,” he replies, shaking his head.

I laugh at his idiocy as I stand. “No, you fool, you can sleep on the sofa in here, or in the study.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m not one to impose,” he says with a grin, waving me off.

I scoff. “No, not at all.”

“Blow me.”

“You wish,” I quickly counter, and Madison chuckles at our usual banter.

“Cherry Pie, it was a pleasure meeting you,” Hunter says, grasping her hand and mischievously kissing the back of it.

“Likewise,” she replies, her cheeks stained a bright red.

“Talk tomorrow, Doc,” he says, and playfully jabs me in the arm.

“I’ll see you out,” I say, and we both commence walking to the door.

“Don’t be a stranger, Cherry Pie. I’ll see you soon,” Hunter says over his shoulder, while I basically shove him out the door.

“Goodnight, Hunter.”

“Don’t fuck this up,” he whispers, and leaves before I have a chance to reply.

I take a deep breath before shutting the door, and as I turn around, I see Madison clearing the table.

“Hey, leave that. I’ll do it in the morning.”

But she’s insistent and carries a handful of empty bottles into the kitchen, giving me a quick smile. “It’s fine, it’ll only take a minute.”

She suddenly looks incredibly nervous, and I have a feeling that’s got to do with the fact that we’re alone. I collect the rest of the empty bottles and join her in the kitchen, where she’s vigorously wiping down the countertop. I move around her and place the bottles into the recycling, and decide to wait for her to finish before I speak, as she looks to be deep in thought.

However, when she begins washing the empty chip bowls, I know she’s not going anywhere for a while. I decide to leave her to it because I know a pensive female when I see one, and like my mother, keeping busy seems to be Madison’s escapism.

I quietly exit and head to my en suite to get ready for bed. After I’m done brushing and flossing, I change into a pair of sweats and splash on some Aramis, because Madison commented earlier that she likes the scent. The moment I turn the light off in the en suite and step into the bedroom, I hear a stunned gasp. I look up to see Madison’s back.

“Madison?” I ask, confused. “Is everything all right?”

She takes a second before she replies, “Um, yes. I’m just, um, being silly.” She turns around, the bedside lamp illuminating her flushed cheeks.

I watch the way her eyes timidly swoop down my bare chest, and I now understand her actions—she’s shy. I was too busy thinking about what triggered the sudden mood change in her and completely forgot to slip on a tee. However, seeing as I usually sleep nude, she’s lucky I remembered the pants.

“Nice ink,” she says, her eyes zeroing in on my ribs.

“Thanks,” I reply, rubbing over the tattoo.

“‘We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love,’” she says, tilting her head to the side and reading out the cursive text. “That’s really beautiful.”

“I think you mean pathetic,” I correct, and Madison raises an eyebrow, confused by my response.

However, her mouth parts a second later. She understands what I mean. “You got that because of your ex-fiancée?” she asks, and I nod.

“See, pathetic.”

I turn toward the dresser and open my drawer with the intention to grab a T-shirt, but Madison charges forward and latches onto my bicep. Looking down at her hand, I expect her to remove it, but she doesn’t. She loosens her grip, but doesn’t let go. She takes a step closer, while I take one back.

“Tell me what happened,” she gently coaxes, but I break free from her hold.

“No,” I bluntly reply, and instantly feel guilty when I see Madison lower her eyes, wounded by my curt response. “I just don’t want to bore you with the pathetic details of my fucked-up relationship because there’s not much to tell. I fell in love with someone who I thought loved me back, I proposed, bought her this apartment,” I say, spreading my arms out wide. “And in return, she fucked my best friend, got pregnant, got married, and lived happily ever after.”

Damn, where the hell did that come from? I thought I was over Lily, but obviously, I’m not. And I don’t think I will ever make peace with her betrayal.

But looking down at Madison, who has a hand pressed over her mouth, and her honest eyes filled with tears, I know she is the reason for my outburst. Now that Madison is standing before me, looking absolutely at peace in my home, and with my friends, I know I want more.

I haven’t felt this way in so long, and go figure, the girl I’m attracted to, both inside and out, is unattainable because of a little thing called a boyfriend. But I can’t help but think back to what Hunter said. He’s right, she hasn’t mentioned him all night, and she is here, sleeping in my bed, not his.