Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“You sure aren’t acting like nothing is wrong,” I say, not sure if I should.
“I’m just a little bit annoyed and confused is all,” she finally declares. “You come to meet me, don’t want to use me, use me anyway, and never even mention to your fiancée that we knew each other.” She shakes her head. “Actually, forget it. I don’t even care, to be honest. It’s none of my business.” She takes a bite of her salad.
“Is that you asking me why I didn’t tell her about you?” I take a bite of my salmon, waiting for her to answer me.
“Not in the least. I don’t really care.” I know it’s a lie. She knows it’s a lie.
“Well, considering we didn’t just know each other…” I make sure she knows I hate the way that came out of her mouth. Her eyes now fly up to me. “I didn’t tell her about you because I wasn’t sure what to say.”
“I don’t know how your relationship worked.” She takes a sip of her wine. “Nor do I care, but you should always go with the truth.”
“I would never lie,” I tell her, grabbing a piece of carrot, “which is why I didn’t tell her about you.”
“That makes no sense.” She puts her glass down.
“Doesn’t it?” I take another bite of the salmon, just so my hands are busy doing something instead of being on the table tapping it. “If I told her about you, she would have had questions.” I look at Sofia. “Questions I would have had to answer.” I raise my eyebrows, wondering if she gets what I’m saying.
“How was I supposed to tell my fiancée that my wedding planner was the only woman I’ve ever loved?” She doesn’t say anything. “How do you think that conversation would have gone? Because she would have asked me if I still had feelings for you and the answer would have been yes.” She opens her mouth and closes it again, no words coming out. “How do you think that would have gone? ‘Helena, I think we should not go with white-and-black flowers because they look horrible.’” I grab another piece of salmon. “‘Oh, and by the way, did you know Sofia and I dated and lived together for two years?’” I shake my head, angry because maybe I should have said those words. “Are you dating anyone?” I say right before I pop the piece of salmon in my mouth, wanting to kick myself. Did I actually say those words out loud? Do I want to know the answer to this? One thousand percent. Am I ready for the answer? Absolutely not.
I avoid looking up at her, not sure I can handle it. “Yes,” she replies, her voice high and tight. I close my eyes as the answer sinks into my brain. The minute it does, a rage washes over me.
Suzanna comes over. “Are you finished?” she asks of my almost empty plate, and I nod my head.
“I’m done also,” Sofia says, pushing her plate to her, “and can we have the bill, please?”
“It’s all taken care of,” Suzanna relays. “Have a great night.”
Sofia grabs her purse from the seat and slides out of the bench. I guess this means we’re done.
“I’m done,” she announces as I grab my jacket in my hand and slide out to stand in front of her. “You don’t have to leave. I can see myself out.”
I don’t bother saying anything to her, instead I hold out my hand for her to walk ahead of me. I hold up my hand to a couple of the guys as I walk out. My hand itches to slip it into hers as we walk around the building and toward the back, where I see her car parked, but she’s one step ahead of me.
The sound of her shoes clicking is the only thing that makes noise. There isn’t even another car on the street. “This is me,” she says from the back of her car.
I stand in front of her. “How serious is it?” I tilt my head to the side, waiting for her to answer, hoping like everything that it isn’t.
“None of your business,” she retorts, her eyes staring straight into mine. I nod my head at her. “We are two friends having a conversation.” She throws my words back in my face. I smirk at her, always knowing those words would come back to bite me in the ass.
My whole body fills with nerves. I make sure my eyes never leave hers when I say the words, “The last thing I want is to be your friend and we both know it.”
She lowers her eyes just a second before looking back at me. “I know a couple of things.” She crosses her arms in front of her. “One, I didn’t want to be here but you didn’t give me a choice.” The lie comes out of her mouth so smoothly. We both know she didn’t have to come here tonight, but she did, and I don’t know who I’m going to owe that she is here, but I will pay them double. “Two, what I also know is that we shared something”—she takes a deep breath in—“a while ago, but now it’s gone.”