Still caught off guard by his presence, I tell myself I need to fall back into my role, but I can’t bring myself to be that person again. It hurts too much to pretend not to care.
“It’s good to see you again, Ian.” When he doesn’t replyor react, my voice trembles when I say, “I’ll let you get back to your day.”
As I go to take a step past him, his hand shoots out and grabs my forearm. The electricity that I’ve only ever felt with him explodes up my arm and into my chest.
“Mags, don’t go. Have a coffee with me.”
I’m not sure if it’s the best or worst idea, but I’m weak for him. Have been since the first night we met, not that he’d believe that after how I pushed him away. I whisper, “Okay.”
He releases me and goes to the counter. A small smile finds its way to my face when he orders one of my favorite coffee variations, even if I love it in all its forms.He didn’t forget.
When he has our drinks, he gestures for me to follow him, and he leads the way to a couple of chairs in the far corner of the coffee shop, giving us at least a little privacy from the curious glances of my coworkers.
We both take our seats, and he hands me my coffee. I take a sip, trying to figure out what to say when he saves me from having to come up with something.
“It was quite the shock to find out about you and Ella.”
When the words leave his mouth, a thought occurs to me, and my gut twists.I hope he doesn’t think I planned this.
“I swear I had no idea. I can’t tell you I wouldn’t have continued to be friends with Ella if I had known because I really like her, but I would have been more careful, so this didn’t have to be awkward.”
The way he’s still watching me so intently is both arousing and unnerving.
“I know you didn’t.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Pretty sure we’re the butt of the universe’s stupid fucking joke.”
I huff out a laugh. My entire life seems like that. “Youhave no idea,” I mutter into my cup before taking another sip.
He gives me a sad smile. I open my mouth to say…something. Maybe an apology. Or a lame attempt at an explanation for what I said, but I haven’t quite figured out what to say. Months later, and it haunts me every day.
But before I can get anything out, he says, “Let me take you to dinner this weekend.”
Disappointment so strong hits me, I almost start crying. “I can’t.”
He sniffs hard and his jaw muscle jumps before he spits out, “Why? Because of your boyfriend?”
I sit up straighter in confusion at his words and annoyance at his tone. “What are you talking about? I don’t have a boyfriend.”
His elbow finds the armrest, and he leans toward me. “Then tell me, Maggie, why can’t you go out with me this weekend?”
Because if I don’t go to Chicago, I could die. Literally.
“I have to go out of town.” My voice is pleading when I offer, “What about next week?”
“Where are you going?” he presses, eyes never leaving mine.
I hesitate, but I give him a partial truth. “Home, to see my family.”
Ian stands so suddenly that I lean back in my chair in surprise.
“You know what, this was a stupid fucking idea.” Pivoting on his heels, he takes a few steps away before calling back to me. “Next time, don’t lie to me, Mags.”
At least he’s managed to do one thing for me—replace my melancholy with white-hot anger.
My eyes narrow as I yell out, “I’m not lying, you dick.”
He doesn’t react as his palm connects solidly with the door. My chest rises and falls rapidly as I try to get myself under control.
How dare he call me a liar?I squeeze my eyes shut as some of the anger starts to dissipate, turning into bitterness at my predicament.Technically, I am.
