“Come in.” He stepped back.
“It’s nice.” I smiled, glancing around. Clean, modern, contemporary furniture in blues and grays that reminded me of sailboats. VeryI shop on Michigan Avenue and have my life together.
“You like it?” God, the hope in his voice. The way his shoulders relaxed slightly as he shoved his hands into his pockets, looking at me like my opinion was everything.
Aaaand cue the guilt spiral in three, two, one …
“I do. It’s impressive.”
His smile faltered slightly, as if he sensed my distress, but he quickly hitched it back up. “Let me get you a drink.”
I followed him into his kitchen, my throat suddenly feeling like I’d been chewing cotton balls.
“Have to be honest,” he started, filling a glass with ice and water. “I was surprised to get your invitation to meet.”
The tone in his voice told me that my calling had made his entire day. Too bad I was about to take that happiness and light it on fire.
He handed me the glass. “Thank you for coming over.”
He studied me then, once again registering my anxiety. Because apparently, my poker face needed work.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mathew, we need to talk.”
His attention flicked to the diamond ring on my finger, and his expression turned to stone. “You’re staying with him.”
Not a question. An accusation, wrapped in disappointment, with a side of barely contained rage.
Taking a sip of water, I geared up for my rehearsed speech. Earlier, I’d outlined it, practiced it in the mirror, even worked on my facial expressions. But standing here now, all that rehearsal went out the window like confetti in a tornado.
“Things changed after you left,” I managed.
“I came back for you.”
“I wish you would’ve visited first before you uprooted your entire life.”
“Dakota.” When he stepped forward, I looked up at him, my heartbeat suddenly auditioning for a death metal band. “You don’t have to do this. I can tell you’re confused. You can take more time …”
“I don’t want you waiting for me.”
“Waiting for you is my decision. And I would wait a hundred years for you to come back to me, Dakota. Look, I know you’re engaged, but?—”
“Even if I wasn’t,” I interrupted.
Shock registered on his face, followed by a flash of anger. “He’s gotten inside your head.”
Well, that was a bit condescending.
“This is me and my decision alone.”Stay strong, Dakota. You’ve got this.“I want you to find someone who will make you happy.”
“I already have.” His tone had gone ice cold.
“I’m sorry.” I handed him the glass. “I came here to say goodbye.”
For a moment, I thought he might throw the glass across the room. Instead, Mathew set it on the counter and crossed his arms, staring at me like I was a confused child who needed her head cleared by an adult. “You’re still mad at me for leaving you.”
“This isn’t about you leaving.”
