Free Never Say Never, Part Two (Second Chance Romance, Book 2) by Melissa Shaw

leaned her hip against the steel kitchen counter. “My lease isn’t up yet and until it is, I have every right to be here and complete control over who comes and goes.”  
    Chastity opened her mouth, but her phone trilled to life and she snapped it shut again. She took out her iPhone, glared at Emily for a moment, then slid her forefinger across the screen.  
    “Bonjour,” she sang. “Oh, hello Janet darling. What’s that?”  
    The annoying whine from the other end was telltale. Janet sure was excited about something. It was bad enough having to see the women around at work. Emily turned away so Chastity wouldn’t see her sour disdain.  
    “That’s wonderful news, dear. Simply wonderful.”  
    More chatter and shrieking from the other end.  
    “Oh yes, I think I know someone who would appreciate this news. Congratulations. All right, now, bye. No, Janet,” Chastity cut off and the volume of nattering increased marginally, “Goodbye.”  
    The woman in black gave a grunt of exasperation.  
    “This is turning out to be a fantastic day.”  
    Emily adjusted her position and glanced out the window. Still no moving truck.  
    “Don’t you want to hear the news?”  
    She didn’t answer. Whatever made Chastity happy would likely irritate the hell out of her.  
    “I’ve just heard from dearest Janet. You know Janet, don’t you?”  
    What a dumb question. “Yeah, you could say that.” Emily snatched up her handbag and brought out her own smartphone. No messages, no calls.  
    “She’s engaged.”  
    “What?” Emily’s heart skipped a beat. Either Janet had met someone else or…
    “That’s right. My brother has finally popped the question. I see he’s gotten over his intense need to run away from real love. Guess that means his stint with floozies is over.”  
    She’d thought her heart was broken before, but those shattered pieces burst into dust which settled in every cell of her being. She was aflame.  
    This couldn’t be happening. Janet was treacherous. She’d cheated on Chase and he’d marry her and end up unhappy in the end.  
    “Oh my, have I said something to upset you?” Chastity took out a pair of black silk gloves and slipped them on. She raised a hand to her mouth in mock horror.  
    “Get out of my apartment. Get out.” She didn’t shout it, she left her voice calm.
    Chastity narrowed her eyes. “How rude.”   She ambled to the exit, nose in the air as if she’d smelled a turd.  
    Emily followed her, opened the door and ushered her out with a sharp jerk of her head.  
    She walked into the hall but glared back at her. “You’ll never get anywhere in life.”  
    “Yeah, right. You look like an undertaker in black. And you’ve got a fat ass. Bonsoir.” She slapped the door closed in the sister’s horrified face.  
    This was unbelievable. If Chase married Janet, she’d regret it forever. Not because she was madly in love with him – okay, she was, but that was beside the point – but because keeping quiet meant condemning him to a life of unhappiness.  
    She had to do her part. If he wanted to marry Janet after he knew, then so be it. He was a fool and they deserved each other.  
    The anger she held at him and at Janet, hell, even at Chastity disappeared in a puff of that dust.  
    A sharp realization hit her in the chest: she wanted Chase to be happy, even if that meant him being with the redhead. Even if it meant never seeing him again.  
    It was ultimately his choice to make. And if it was his choice, it couldn’t be her fault. How could she blame herself for his unhappiness, or anyone else’s, if she hadn’t made the choice to hurt them?  
    Either way, he had to know the truth. Knowledge was power, and she had to do what was right and tell him before he made the biggest mistake of his life.  
    There was another knock at the door. The movers had arrived.  
    “Load it up and take it to this address. If I’m not there by the time you’re