He cheated i chose two firefighters novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Scar’s POV

Dear Diary

Milo.

Yes–Milo. Of all the timing in the world, we opened our doors at the exact same moment while I was heading out of my condo.

***

“Milo–hey!” I chirped.

A towel sat low on his hips. My gaze dropped before my brain could stop it, mapping out his chest and stomach like it had rights there. The man looked carved.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said, easy as anything. “Been a while.”

“It has,” I replied, bracing a shoulder to my doorframe like that could keep me from melting. “Is… walking the hallway in a towel part of your routine?”

He laughed under his breath. “Normally, no. I ordered food and wanted to grab it before I

hop in the shower.” He nodded toward a takeout bag leaning against the wall beside him.

Heat climbed my face. Of course there was a bag. I hadn’t even registered it.

“So what have you been up to?” I asked.

God. I was so awkward. Eyes up, Scar. Face. His face. Not his torso. Not his-

He was talking and I was barely hanging on.

“Work’s been rough but good,” he said. “Three days on, three off, two on, two off. The schedule actually works for me.”

He shifted the towel with one hand like it wasn’t a loaded weapon. “Only downside is dating. A lot of women don’t love competing with my job. When I’m on duty, I sleep at the station.”

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<Chapter 26

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Well. That explained everything.

“That’s amazing,” I said, trying to sound normal. “But I’m guessing it can be terrifying.”

“It can.” His eyes stayed on mine. “What about you? What are you up to today?”

“I’m headed to the grocery store,” I said. “I’m doing garlic chicken and asparagus for dinner.

My friends are all busy tonight, so it’s just me. And I really don’t want to sit in a restaurant

alone.”

He didn’t even hesitate. “Then don’t. Let me take you out. Or-” he tilted his head, smile

turning sharper, “you could cook, and we could watch a movie.”

“Like… a date?”

Why did that fly out of my mouth like that? He could’ve meant it casually. As neighbors. As

friends.

His expression didn’t waver. “Yeah. Like a date. I want to know you better.”

Breathe.

“Okay,” I said, forcing myself to keep it cool. “I’d love to cook. Come over at five?”

“Perfect.” His voice dipped. “See you then, beautiful.”

He picked up his food and disappeared back into his place.

I checked my phone.

11:00 a.m.

Plenty of time: groceries, new lingerie, a pedicure. Garlic chicken needed about an hour in

the oven. And thank God I had gotten waxed two days ago–landing strip, smooth

everywhere else.

Three hours later, I let myself into my condo with bags cutting into my fingers. I put everything away fast, then all but sprinted to my bedroom.

Shower. Hair. Skin. I scrubbed like I was resetting my whole day.

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When I stepped out, I toweled off and skipped makeup entirely. I didn’t need it. A swipe of

lip gloss was enough. I let my hair dry on its own while I lifted the lingerie from the bag like it was fragile.

Care instructions first

I hand–washed the set, hung it to dry, then grabbed my robe and my phone

Time to face the music.

Hola, mi hermosa hija,” my mother sang when she answered.

Hola, mami, ?cómo estás?”

“All’s good. Papa’s just waking in,‘ she said. “When are you and Brennan coming to visit again? We haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Better yet–come without Brennen!” my dad shouted somewhere in the background.

“Marco,” my mom snapped. “Stop it.”

“Put it on speaker,” I told her. “I need dad to hear this too.”

Her voice sharpened with worry. “Okay. You’re on speaker.”

“I divorced Brennan,” I said. “He neglected me for another woman, and then he cheated on

me with her.”

The silence lasted maybe a heartbeat.

Then my father exploded. Swearing, raging–none of it aimed at me, all of it aimed at Bre

nnan, like Brennan could somehow hear him through the phone. The force of my dad’s

anger hit me so hard my eyes stung.

He told me I never should’ve married Brennan. That he’d known. That Brennan wasn’t fit to

breathe the same air.

I wiped at my face, laughing and crying at the same time.

“My daughter,” my father said finally, voice gentler, “how are you?”

“I was heartbroken at first,” I admitted. “But now I am doing well. I moved. I left Montana.

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<Chapter 26

I’m in Florida now.”

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“Ohhh, Florida,” my mom said dreamily. “So beautiful. We will come visit.”

“I’d love that,” I said. “I’m in a two–bedroom condo near Hollywood Beach–Hollywood,

Florida. I can see the ocean from here. You’d both love it.”

“How did you afford that?” my mom asked, immediate and practical.

“With the money Papa gave me for our house after the wedding,” I said. “The money Brennan refused to use. I never told him you gave it to me, Papa.”

“Good girl,” my dad said, satisfied. “So you’re working as a personal trainer out there?”

“No,” I said. “There aren’t any openings. But don’t worry–I am good on money.”

I wasn’t telling them how I’d been making it. I still had four grand left from Dare night, plus

savings to keep me afloat.

“Okay,” my mom said, softening. “You’ll find something.”

“I have a date tonight,” I told them, “so I need to go.”

“Be careful, hija,” my dad said. I heard exaggerated kissing sounds right after.

“I love you both,” I said.

“We love you too.”

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He Cheated; I Chose Two Firefighters