Free McDonald_NoELFngWay_GEN_Dec2015 by Donna McDonald

rejection. I don’t see how you can spin it otherwise.”
    “This is definitely not a rejection. It’s a… it’s a request for a pause… just a pause,” Dash insisted.
    Vixen snorted as she shook her head. “ A pause is only a polite way of saying you’ve had second thoughts about the value of our relationship. I’m obviously still of limited use to you as a person. Maybe all you wanted was for me to make you feel better for an evening. If so, my mission has been completed for two days. It’s Thursday now, you can move on.”
    “Vixen…”
    “No. Don’t say my name like I’m the bad guy in this scenario. Me not telling you about Nicky’s request for a mother is just a handy excuse for you to put emotional distance between us. Forgiveness magic doesn’t work like that. I let you back into my heart. You’re the one who’s ruined our second chance.”
    Dash ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe I’m not explaining it right. This problem is all I’ve thought about for two days.”
    “Funny— you are all I’ve thought about for two days. Why are you not asking me how I think we could deal with this together? I’ll tell you why… because just like before, my feelings don’t really matter to you. I don’t really matter to you. Tuesday’s total win of my affections was just as undeserved as the A you got on the paper I wrote for you in college.”
    “Vixen… please don’t be like this.”
    “Be like what? Like a woman who has some damn pride? Get out of my life Dash… and stay out this time.”
    Vixen gave the most handsome man she knew one last look. He wasn’t meant for her… obviously had never been. If she’d followed her instincts and stayed away, she wouldn’t be hurting so badly right now.
    “And just so you know… you’re not the only worried parent in the world. All Dancer has talked about is Nicky since she saw him, which is definitely all your fault. But it never occurred to me to shut you out of my life because of the trouble your child might cause mine. You were worth it to me to deal with them. Thank God we didn’t involve the kids any more than we did.”
    Vixen turned to head to the stock room.
    “Get out before I call someone to come throw you out. You’re not welcome at my place of business anymore.”
    Dash stood there looking after her… bewildered Vixen had reacted so badly. She could be no more disappointed than he was about their dating life.
    Sighing, and not knowing what to do other than leave, Dash went home.

Chapter 8
    “What did you expect her to do, Dash? Give you a medal for ruining her day and hurting her feelings?”
    Cupid shook her head.
    “Are you sure you’re doing this only for Nicky’s sake? You broke up with Vixen over something you’re worried might happen, but don’t know for certain will. Nicky could have already gotten over the motivation he had to write that note.”
    “Nicky doesn’t get over things. He works through them until everything adds up in his head in a way he can accept. And I didn’t break up with Vixen. I only asked for a pause in our dating relationship,” Dash corrected. “She wouldn’t listen long enough for me to explain why.”
    “ A pause? Breaking up is breaking up, no matter what verbiage is used, Dash.”
    Cupid shook her head again.
    “And as for listening… how can you expect Vixen to have faith in a man who has never yet shown faith in her? Plus, you broke things off two days after you slept together, which makes the situation even more complicated. Vixen probably thinks you used her. Any woman would.”
    “I never said I slept with Vixen.”
    Cupid snorted as she glared. “Being arrogant I can forgive in my son, but playing stupid is not something I will tolerate, especially at your age. Vixen Dunder is a sweetheart. She wouldn’t have issued the bodily threat if all you’d done was kiss her under the mistletoe here last Sunday. Plus I heard you whistling when you came home late Tuesday night. And