Chapter 3
But is what I feel for Dean really love?
What even is love, anyway?–
Freud said, “Love comes from our longing to feel complete.” Jung said, “Great souls are both male and female; falling in love at first sight is just loving another version of yourself.” So maybe, back then, falling for Dean was just me trying to find the missing pieces of myself.
But now? I think I finally feel whole.
The next morning.
When I woke up, Dean was still out cold, sprawled across the bed. His phone kept lighting up with notifications–one after another, all from girls with filtered selfies and influencer names. I didn’t bother checking what they said.
Instead, I quietly plugged in his phone–it was almost dead anyway.
As I tried to step over him, Dean’s hand caught my ankle. Without even opening his eyes, he yanked me back, pulling me right onto his lap.
“Come here,” he mumbled, his voice rough and low, all sleep and sexiness. A year ago, that would’ve been all I needed. I’d have jumped him right then and there. But now?
I wriggled off, a little awkward. “Babe, I have an important meeting today. The big boss is coming. I really can’t be late.”
Dean’s face darkened, but I ignored it.
Just before I left, I paused in the doorway. “Honey, I’m going on a three–day work trip. Take care of yourself, okay?”
even shot him a text to remind him, just in case he hadn’t heard me. But then I remembered–he’d put my messages on Do Not Disturb ages ago.
Sol ended up texting one of his wild friends instead:
[Hey, i’ll be away for three days. Can you keep an eye on Dean for me? Thanks! ]
I made it to work right on time.
That night, i stayed late to finish up some reports. My manager even stopped by, looking concerned. “Marian, your trip got postponed. No need to kill yourself prepping. Go home early, alright?”
“I’ll head out soon, just need to wrap this up,” I said. But by the time I finally left, it was already 10:30 PM.
On the way home, i checked the security camera app on my phone–just a habit, lately. I watched as some woman walked up and knocked on my door. Dean answered, wearing nothing but his boxers.
The woman looked nervous, maybe even a little bashful. Dean glanced her up and down, then stepped aside and let her in.
I almost floored the gas pedal.
Caim down. No need to rush. It’s not like Dean would jump into something right away… right?)
By 11:00, I was standing at our door. My hands were shaking so badly I punched in the wrong code the first time.
When I finally got in, chaos hit me in the face.
Lace panties Torn stockings. Clothes everywhere. The kind of mess I’d only ever seen in movies–or nightmares.
For someone like me, it was almost too much.
But apparently Dean moved faster than I thought. The bedroom door flew open so hard it banged against the wall.§
A naked woman stumbled out, clutching her clothes. She turned back to the bedroom, practically begging:
“Dean, I flew here just to see you! Don’t kick me out so soon. If you want to try something different-“W
Dean just tossed her bra at her
“I sent you money for your flight. Time to leave.”
He wandered out, lazy and bored.
The woman wasn’t giving up. “If you’re not into me, I have this friend–she’s gorgeous. Want to see her picture? She’s at the club nearby, we could all go.” Dean barely glanced at her phone, but then he looked up–and saw me.
The woman went dead silent.
The whole place did. It was like the world just stopped.N
