Found in You(109)

“And that’s all you and Hudson talked about?” I studied his expression carefully. “There’s more, I can tell from your face.” The ball of dread returned.

David came over to the couch and sat on the arm, facing me, with one foot on a cushion. “Well, I’m not supposed to tell you this until you get back from Japan, but I don’t feel good keeping a secret from you. Plus, I’m really excited and have to tell someone.”

“What is it?” My voice was barely a whisper, my hands white as I wrung them in my lap.

“He offered me a promotion.” His eyes twinkled, his excitement evident. “General Manager at Adora, his club in Atlantic City.”

My vision went black for half a second, and I had to lean back into the couch for support. “What did you tell him?” There was no way he couldn’t see me shaking, couldn’t hear it in my voice.

“I said, hell yes. Adora? That place is world famous.”

Or maybe he actually was oblivious to my devastation. And I was oh, so devastated. Not just because the thought of losing David was terrible, but because of what Hudson had done, when he’d specifically told me nothing had been decided yet. I wanted to throw up.

I focused on the more immediate situation at hand—convincing David to stay. “But we’re only getting started here. The Sky Launch could be the next Adora. With you and me—”

“I’m sure it will be the next Adora. Bigger even, with Pierce’s money and your ideas. But I’m not a guy who builds things. I’m a guy who runs things someone else has built. Adora is the biggest career move I could ever hope for.” He looked down at me sheepishly. “I’m supposed to start in two weeks.”

“That’s so soon. And you’ll have to move to Atlantic City.” My throat clogged with tears.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re going to miss me.” His tone was hopeful.

“Of course I’ll miss you, you dope.” I had enough control of myself to tack on a platonic addendum. “You’ve been such a great manager. It was really you who inspired me to want to stay in the nightclub business.”

“Really? I had no idea.” He moved to sit beside me. “I’ll miss you, Laynie. And not just because I have a big crush on you, but because you’re a good friend.”

His unabashed flirtation made sense now. He was laying everything on the line. Why not? He would be gone soon. Gone because of Hudson.

God, my head hurt. I sighed and threw a glance at David. “You don’t have a big crush on me.”

“You’re right. I’m totally in love with you.”

The wind left my lungs. I had to stand up and walk away, putting distance between us. The man I’d moved in with hadn’t even told me he loved me. And he’d gone and betrayed me so deeply. What was I even doing with Hudson? Was I crazy? Should I be running away with David?

The answer was, of course, no. No matter how much David felt for me, it didn’t make up for how much I felt for Hudson. Even after what he’d done.

Thank god, I didn’t have to say it out loud.

“I get it,” David said. “I just really needed you to know how I feel before I go.”

I turned back to face him.

“And now you realize that I really have to do this. I can’t stay here with you. And Adora…”

I nodded. I got it, too.

“But I’m only a phone call away. You can dial me up anytime you need anything. Like, if you have questions about The Sky Launch, or if you want to hear my voice.”