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noting Rhys’s jaw twitch in reaction to my maiden name, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    His mother shook it sweetly and I accepted Hugh’s hand as well before moving it toward the woman next to him, smiling as my heart beat in my throat.
    “Heidi Volz,” she said, reaching out her hand.
    Oh, God, he is married!
    “Nice to meet you, Heidi! Rhys never told me he was married, but we’d just met in passing, anyway.” I was leaving and fast. I didn’t care how violence wasn’t the answer, I couldn’t take it, not from Rhys. I could just picture the massacre now.
    “No,” she laughed, “not his wife. His unwed, knocked up sister. I’m the black sheep. Thankfully he has two of us. At least she made the family proud.” She caught her mother’s glare and I laughed a little too harshly at the exchange, letting the ten tons of relief fall away from me.
    I’d not bothered to look at Rhys fully until that moment, and what I saw was surprise and anger.
    “Rhys, a quick word?” I didn’t give him time to answer before addressing his parents and sister. “I know how rude this seems, but do you mind if I steal him for a minute? I’ll be quick.”
    “Of course,” his sister beamed and his parents agreed easily.
    The nervous laughter that bubbled in my chest was almost too much, but I maintained. Rhys got up from his seat and started walking toward the French doors that led to a wraparound porch. He only hesitated when he realized he looked absurd leaving me in the dust and turned and smiled, waiting. His sister winked at me as if to say ‘Go get him’. I had a feeling they were close. I winked back, taking Rhys’s offered arm. We walked out onto the porch to a beautiful but chilly fall day. He pulled his arm away, walking toward the railing. The Spanish moss covered trees swayed in the cool breeze. There was a green field ahead with a butterfly garden. It was absolutely beautiful. Rhys stood looking at the view in front of the porch rail, his back to me. I stayed silent as long as I could. He gave me nothing.
    “Rhys, come on, just talk to me—”
    “You think this is funny?” He was beyond angry. I had just poked the bear, and at this point, I didn’t give a shit.
    “Yes, I do,” I said defiantly, a smirk on my lips.
    “This is over, as of now.” I stopped my walk toward him and had to fight to keep my wits. The feeling of rejection was so fucking familiar now, I couldn’t escape the pain of it. Instead of filling me with despair, it angered me.
    “Fine, throw me away just like my husband did. Fuck you both.” He turned slowly, pinning me with his stare. I stopped with my hand on the door behind me. He was angry but he wanted me, just as much as I wanted him. I was sure of it.
    “You want me. I can see it. You can hide behind your words and turn your back on me all you want, but you want me.” I crossed my arms, still he gave me nothing. “He was my fucking husband, Rhys. I’d given up a long time ago. What you saw wasn’t what it looked like. But I lied, I get that. So if you are going to end it, end it. But don’t look at me like that and tell me you don’t want me and that this is over. Clearly there is something here.” I gestured between us.
    “That’s my family you introduced yourself to, Violet,” he snapped, holding a finger up in the direction of his table.
    I took a step forward, narrowing my eyes. “And what? I’m not good enough to meet your mother? Besides, it was the only way to get you alone. I’ve never met a man so relentless in his pursuit to turn away from someone so quickly.”
    “I have a bad history with liars,” he said, holding his hands up, frustration on his face.
    “I lied, and you’ve crucified me for it.” I took a deep breath. “Fine, we are no longer more than fucking, you’ve made that clear. I’ll accept that now, but can we at least be civil or are you going to act like a fucking child much longer? Because if not, I can’t deal with this