Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Amaury left without saying a word.
No screaming, no drama, no accusations. He just walked out.
Didn't even look back.
I stood there in my hallway like an idiot, wanting to call after him but my voice was gone.
I couldn't tell if I still felt sick or if this was something else entirely—this hollow, freezing emptiness spreading through my chest.
Two days later, I forced myself back to the office.
I kept my usual schedule—worked late, grabbed coffee, did all my normal routines. But Amaury had vanished.
When he wants to avoid someone, they stay avoided. Simple as that.
My phone, which used to blow up with his texts, went dead silent.
Like I'd been erased.
Some days I tried to stay positive—hey, at least I still had a job. The guy really was professional.
Other days I was ready to lose my shit. Almost wished he was the type to make my life hell out of spite. Would've hurt less than this complete radio silence.
I didn't chase him. What would be the point?
I got caught. Game over. Any explanation would just sound desperate.
For someone like Amaury, women probably throw themselves at him constantly. I just happened to get lucky with my timing. Nothing special about me.
I went back to flying solo—work alone, eat alone, go home alone.
It had been fine before, but once you get used to having someone, being single again hits different.
Meanwhile, Dante somehow heard about my disaster and started showing up everywhere.
When he cornered me outside my building again, I was done.
"Seriously, what do you want? I already told you—we're not happening."
Dante leaned against my door like he owned the place, that stupid silver earring catching the light.
"Come on, you're single now anyway. What've you got to lose?"
"What's Prince Charming got that I don't? Look at me—" He gestured at his face like it was a work of art.
"Money? Please, I've got cash. Whatever he was dropping on you, I'll beat it. Why torture yourself over some boring corporate drone?"
I was so over this conversation. "Because I actually like him. Mind your own business."
Dante's smile turned nasty. God, I hated how good he looked even when he was being a total dick.
"You like him." His voice was pure ice. "But does he like you back?"
He stepped closer, getting in my space. "He fell for some fake version of you. Me? I know exactly who you are, and I'm still here."
"You and Mr. Perfect were never gonna work. You can't build shit on lies."
That last part hit like a slap.
Because he wasn't wrong. Everything with Amaury had been based on manipulation.
But what I felt for him? That was real. I'd actually fallen for the guy.
Didn't matter though. Dante was right about that too.
Amaury was done with me. Someone like him getting played by someone like me—probably the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to him.
"Babe, we make sense together." Dante's voice went soft, persuasive. "We're cut from the same cloth. No games, no pretending."
I started to answer when my phone buzzed.
Text message.
Amaury.
"Free tonight? I'll pick you up. We need to talk."
"No." I looked straight at Dante.
"Huh?" He looked confused.
"I said no. I'm not getting back with you." I met his eyes, speaking slowly so he'd get it.
"I don't want you."
I was done settling.