"She's in the innkeeper's suite."
My heart rate picked up, knowing that we'd be alone in her apartment again."I remember where it is."
Aspen nodded."I'll let her know that you're on your way."
"Thank you," I said before crossing the lobby to the grand staircase.I wondered if she'd decide it was a bad time of year to start construction.
On the top floor, I headed toward the door at the end of the hallway and knocked.
A few seconds later, I heard the soft pad of footsteps as if she was wearing thick socks.Then the door opened."Ford."
I stepped inside, feeling stiff."It's good to see you again."
She closed the door behind me."I thought you were going to email the estimate.”
"That's usually how we handle estimates.It gives customers time to review it before contacting us with any questions.But given our past, I thought we should talk."
Her forehead wrinkled."Oh?"
"Is there somewhere we can be comfortable?"I asked, looking around the apartment.
It was neat and organized with the bare minimum for furniture and decor.The lack of holiday decorations was noticeable.I wondered if she wanted an escape from Christmas in her personal space.
She waved a hand toward the sliding glass door."I was reading on the balcony.Would you like to sit out there?The heaters are on."
"That's fine."I followed her outside, where she had a couch, a few end tables, and heaters placed throughout the space.
The balcony faced the town square, the railing wrapped in twinkling white lights.A Christmas tree stood in the corner.
"There's a tree on the balconies, so that when guests look up, they can see them."She sat on the couch, pulling a throw over her lap.
"That's a nice touch," I said, sitting next to her.
She flicked her hand to the other side of her apartment."I have another balcony that's more private.That one has a hot tub."
I wondered if she brought men to that balcony for dates.Had she shared the hot tub with anyone?It wasn't supposed to matter who she spent her time with.We'd broken up a long time ago, and I didn't have a claim on her anymore.
I was here to apologize for my behavior when we were dating, not think about who she was dating now.It was none of my business.
She shifted so that she faced me."What did you want to talk about?"
I pulled the estimate out of a folder I'd brought."I wanted to make sure you were okay working with me, and I thought I'd apologize for how I handled things back then."
Her forehead creased."What do you have to apologize for?"
"I let you do the breaking up."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"When I first enlisted, I pulled away because I was busy.My work was important, and I let it get in the way of us.I didn't make any effort in our relationship.I think I wanted you to break up with me.It was easier but cowardly.I'm not happy about how I behaved."
Something flashed over her face before she waved a dismissive hand."It was a long time ago.You don't have to apologize for not breaking up with me sooner."
I sat forward, my elbows on my thighs."I think I'm messing this up."
Natasha's expression softened."You don't have anything to apologize for.It was what needed to happen at the time."
I was rusty when it came to talking about feelings."I'm sorry that I didn't handle things more maturely.I should have been a man and told you what was going on.Not make you wonder and worry."
