"And did you break her?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you sitting outside of her place of employment like a lovesick puppy?"Because I am."Getting back together with her was not part of the deal. You're not supposed to be putting her pieces back together. Honestly, if you did your job right she shouldn't even be at work."
"I'm not getting back together with her."
"This is low, even for you, Silas."
We both turn our heads at the sound of Nate's voice. He walked up behind us on the other side of the fountain. I must stink at this inconspicuous shit, because both he and Bucky found me. They knew right where I'd be. Wherever she is.
"Nate."
Bucky stands even though Nate still towers over him by at least five or six inches.
"Why are you at my daughter's job, Silas?"
"Following him." He points to me chuckling. "How does it feel to know that the man you brought into your home broke your daughter's heart? Bet it doesn't feel good does it."
"You are ruining my daughter's life over her mother? Joanne never loved you, Silas. You have to know that. You were a childhood boyfriend. I was the love of her life."
"You and I were friends. Rangers. Brothers. I introduced you to her! You ate food in my house with us. You partied with us. You betrayed me in the worst way, Nate, and you fucking know it. Just admit it."
"I admitted it a hundred years ago."
"Then you got her pregnant."
"I apologized to you."
"Then you married her."
"I loved her!"
"As did I, you sanctimonious motherfucker."
A few people at the fountain start to walk away as Nate and Bucky's voices rise higher.
"I was willing to change for her. You weren't. I turned my life around. I stopped all that bullshit we were doing, and ran my grandfather's shop for the last twenty-five years, because that's the type of man she deserved."
"She deserved more."
"She was happy until the day she died."
"Says you."
I'm so engrossed in watching these two old grumps hash out their love vendetta, that I totally miss the fact that Adriana has spotted us and started walking toward us. It throws me at first, because she isn't dressed in scrubs. She's in regular clothing. A black pencil skirt, a light blue dressy tank and black pumps. She looks fucking amazing.
I walk toward her as Nate and Bucky continue their spat. My deadened heart starts to beat. Blood starts to pump into my dick again. My body is coming alive. I'm drawn to her like a thirsty man toward a cool, clean mountain spring.
"Ariana."
* * *
