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-KENZIE-

I was staring out the jet's window, we were on our way back home and my mind was on Axel.

I was feeling guilty for the way I handled things with him.

"Kenz?" Wyatt's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I turned to look at him.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," I sighed heavily, "I feel terrible about how I handled things with Axel. I should never have started anything with him."

"Why? Because he's a shitty person?"

"No, because..." I trailed off, not wanting to get into why I broke things off with Axel.

Wyatt seemed to be studying me intently, but I couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

"He's just too jealous, and I'm trying to concentrate on my career. I can't do that with him throwing a tantrum whenever you need me."

Wyatt nodded, "That's good. Your career is important. Have you thought about going back to school? I'm sure you don't want to be a PA for the rest of your life."

"I'll figure it out eventually. But for the time being, I'm happy to carry on with things the way they are."

He sighed, "Kenz, what happened to you? You used to be so ambitious, and now it seems you've lost all of your drive."

"Wyatt, can we please not get into this? My personal life has nothing to do with you. If I want to live in a crappy neighborhood or work for someone for the rest of my life. It's my choice, that's it."

He nodded, but his cloudy eyes told me he was angered by this.

"What? You look like you're about to burst a blood vessel."

He laughed, "You're being dramatic. I think you deserve better, that's all. I think you deserve a lavish life, not this mediocre shit."

"Happiness is what we all deserve. And I'm happy."

His face lost all signs of humor, "Are you really?"

I turned back to the window, remaining silent. I knew what he was getting at by the tone of his voice. I wasn't ready for that conversation.

I was back at my apartment unpacking my luggage with Toby slinking around my ankles, the TV was playing in the background when I heard Axel's name being mentioned by the host.

Spinning I went into the living room only to see a picture of Axel with none other than my mother. The host was questioning whether they were a couple. But what really shocked me was that the picture was from the night he took my mother out in my place.

Getting my phone, I dialed my mom.

"Hi, honey. How was London?"

"Are you and Axel an item?"

There was an ever-so-slight pause before she answered, "What? Don't be ridiculous."

"Have you seen the tabloids? A picture of you and Axel were just on my screen and they're questioning if the two of you are dating."

"That's silly, you know they will make up anything for a story. I only went out with him to discuss you."

Something felt off about this, but I sighed, "Alright, Mom."

"Did he come to see you in London?" She asked.

"Yeah, but it ended in us breaking up."

"Why?!"

"Wyatt. He is so demanding as a boss, and Axel needs attention. I can't juggle work and a relationship with him at the same time."

"Axel has money, leave your job and let him support you."

I wrinkled my nose in disgust, "What? Why would I do that? I don't want a man owning me like that, I want to be able to support myself."

"You and your goddamn morals. Don't be stupid, being with Axel could mean that you're set for life."

"Mom, I have to go. I'll talk to you later." I hung up, not wanting to continue the conversation any further.

I huffed and sat on the couch in a slump when my phone rang.

"Really? Now?" I looked down at the screen, Caleb's name flashed on it.

I wasn't going to answer but decided to at the last minute, "Caleb, hi."

"Hi, Kenz, I'm glad you answered. How are you?"

"I'm doing okay. How are you?" I would have preferred to skip the pleasantries and get to the point. I wanted to know why he was calling.

"Can't complain. How was London?"

"It was fine. I don't mean to be rude, but why are you calling?" I looked over at Toby who was staring at me.

"I wanted to see if you were free to grab a bite for lunch."

I frowned, "Uh, is Selma going to join us?"

"No, just the two of us. I thought it would be nice for us to catch up a bit."

"I don't think that's a good idea, Caleb. It doesn't feel right."

"Oh, come on, Kenz. It's nothing weird, just two friends catching up."

"Caleb, I don't know what you're up to, but I'm not interested in meeting with you behind your fiance's back. It's wrong on so many levels."

He sighed, "Okay, I'll respect that. But I really wasn't up to anything. I just wanted to see you, as a friend."

"Maybe another time." I cut the call and threw my phone down beside me, letting out a frustrated sigh.

I felt like everything was falling apart, and I was beginning to second-guess my choice to end things with Axel.

I knew that I couldn't be with Wyatt, I knew it would never work out between us. And I knew it was probably wrong to be in a relationship with someone else while I still had feelings for Wyatt. But how was I supposed to get over him any other way?

Maybe I could grow to love Axel. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the thoughts plaguing me.