A Brand New Ending (Page 58)

“Well, I’m pissed at him for taking advantage of you. I thought you hated him! You refused to let him stay here, and now you’re naked with him. How did he seduce you?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, we’re not in some romantic drama,” she shot back. “He did not seduce me!”

Kyle shot her a hurt look. “Yes I did. Are you going to deny me my skill?”

Ethan muttered a curse and shook him hard. She got the impression Kyle was allowing him to get some of his aggression out in the hopes he’d calm down.

“Go back to your Hollywood hit list and leave my damn sister alone. She doesn’t need you using her. I should’ve listened to her. I should’ve never let you get near her again.”

Kyle had reached his limit. He shoved Ethan hard, and her brother stumbled back. “I’m not using her, you idiot!”

“Oh? You’re not gonna leave her behind while you make your big movies? If you wanted some ass on the side here, I could’ve set you up!”

“Don’t talk that way about your damn sister!”

Kyle charged. Ethan dodged, then slammed him to the side.

“I’m going to call 911!” Mia shouted.

“What makes Ophelia different from the others?” Ethan yelled.

“’Cause she’s my wife—and I still fucking love her!”

Ethan’s jaw dropped. Mia gasped. Ophelia stared at her husband in shock, the words echoing in the air like the aftermath of a bullet.

“What did you say?” Ethan asked, confusion soaking his words.

Kyle sighed and rubbed his head. “We eloped in Vegas ten years ago and decided not to tell anyone since we were only eighteen. When she left we filed for divorce, but it never went through. So we’re still married to each other. I’d never use Ophelia. I’ve always loved her.”

Ophelia held her breath, stunned at Kyle’s admission—and by the feeling of relief at finally having the truth revealed. She’d been stupid to keep it from her family and to try to guard her pain like a secret that had to be shrouded in silence.

Ethan blinked. Took a step back. Then he glanced over, pinning her with his gaze. “Is that true?” he asked slowly.

“Yes. It’s all true.”

Ethan nodded. Regarded Kyle for a long time. And finally spoke. “Then you sure as hell deserve this.”

Ophelia opened her mouth to cry out and stop him, but it was already too late.

He drew back his fist and punched Kyle in the face.

Chapter Twenty-One

Bea’s Diner was exactly as he remembered. Down to the cracked red vinyl booths, impressive pie display, and black-and-white checkered floor. The place was still packed, and the scent of burgers, fries, and grease filled the air with temptation. Voices clamored in chatter, and an antique jukebox played oldies from the corner. Kyle tossed away the menu, already knowing what he was going to order.

“That’s the second time Mia’s seen you naked,” Ethan growled in warning. His gaze blasted him from across the booth. “One more time, and I’ll beat the shit out of you.”

“Think you already did, dude.” He touched his swollen eye while Ophelia cooed and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. Maybe it wasn’t so bad, taking a good hit. The sympathy and coddling were pretty damn awesome. “But it was still a cheap shot.”

“You still deserved it.”

Kyle shrugged. Yeah, he did.

After he’d crumbled embarrassingly to the floor, Ethan had helped him up and announced his need for a very strong cup of coffee. Spiked.

The women had taken a while to calm down, but Kyle was relieved the truth was finally out so he didn’t have to lie to his best friend anymore. He’d gotten a bag of frozen peas for his black eye, and sat down to try and explain their complicated past without giving away too many intimate details. Ophelia had been firm with her brother about one thing: Ethan was required to stay out of her love life and let them work things out on their own.

Mia had backed her up until Ethan agreed to lay off.

Mia shook her head in feminine frustration. “I just don’t understand men. If Ophelia and I settled our differences by beating the crap out of each other, how would you feel?”

Ethan grinned. “Catfights are hot.”

Mia elbowed him, but he just laughed. “Absolutely hopeless,” she muttered, obviously trying hard not to grin. She closed her menu, stared longingly at the case full of fresh pies. “I guess I’ll have a salad.”

Ethan frowned. “You had a salad for lunch. What about the tuna on whole wheat? Bea makes it with carrots, celery, and onions.”

“Okay, that’s reasonable.”

“Then you can have a bite of my pie,” Ethan said, pressing a kiss to her open palm.

Mia stared at him, eyes wide with longing. “The coconut cream?”

“Yes, babe. The coconut cream.”

She practically shivered with delight in the booth. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Kyle cocked his head and stared. “I don’t get it. Why are you so freaked about pie?”

Ophelia laughed and tried to explain. “Mia likes to watch her weight, but she also adores food. We call Ethan the gatekeeper. He helps her balance smart choices with occasional indulgences. Including pie.”

Mia sighed. “I used to be a size-six Gucci dress. Now I’m in an eight.”

“And hot as hell with your new curves.”

“Agreed,” Ophelia said. “You look absolutely amazing.”

Mia blushed. “Thanks, guys.”

Kyle watched the couple across from them. They were obviously in love and connected in a way that made everyone else onlookers. Their intimate look gave him hope. Ophelia was the only woman he’d ever imagined sharing his life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Now that he’d admitted he still loved her, he’d been hoping for some returned emotional exchange. Like an I love you back. But she’d been silent regarding his sudden confession.

Now he was getting all freaked out that she was just using him for sex.

Kyle was deathly afraid he was becoming the girl in this relationship.

“Kyle Kimpton! About damn time you came back to my diner.”

He looked up at Bea, the proud owner and a well-known face he’d never forgotten. She looked the same, with her famous beehive of gray hair, peacock-blue eye shadow, and hot-pink lipstick. A frilly pink apron wrapped around her hips, emphasizing her brightly colored leggings, tight T-shirt with a pink heart, and high-top Converse sneakers.

“I’m sorry I haven’t come in sooner. Been locked up trying to get a project done. But I’ve been dreaming of your bacon burgers for years.”

She stuck her nose in the air and sniffed. “Always been a flatterer. My goodness, I can’t believe the three musketeers are back in their old booth. You know the trouble you caused this town when you three ran wild?”

“We kept you young, Bea,” Kyle said with a wink.

She laughed with delight. “Oh, you’re good. When are you going to stop making those big-time movies and come back where you belong?”

Ophelia stiffened next to him, but kept her smile pasted on her face.

He took her hand in full view and squeezed her fingers. “I’ve been wondering the same thing lately.”

Ophelia’s gorgeous baby blues widened at the public gesture screaming of their coupledom.

Bea caught it and whistled. “Always knew you two were meant to be an item,” she said. “Had a bet with Amy Hash for years. Gonna call that smarty-pants up and tell her I was right.”