We leave the hotel business meeting room and walk the hallways to the restaurant at the Hendricks Hotel. The walls are lined with Giana’s artwork.
“I understand now why Giana is over her head in commissions with you referring the guests to her,” I tell Zara.
“I know, right? We have queries every day.” She stops and talks to a lady at the door.
Zara turns and holds her arm out in the direction for us to walk. Penny leads the way, only I don’t see a spare table. Zara indicates to one in the back corner, which is more private and away from other diners. “There are only two seats?” I point out.
“It’s fine.” Zara waves a hand. “You two sit, and I’ll find a chair to add to the table. Allow me time to talk to the staff and ask them to bring out the chef’s finest dishes.”
Penny sits opposite me.
“Jobe and Zara have turned the hotel into something magical,” I muse as I gaze around the restaurant. “It’s almost like a castle.”
Penny smiles. “I love that their vision was inspired bytheir stay in England.” She picks up the menu. “Oh, the food looks divine.”
My finger glides down the menu, deciding what I like the most.
“Backtracking about our earlier conversation,” Penny begins.
“Which one?”
“The one about BJ.”
Placing the menu on the table, I meet her gaze. “Again, which one.” If we keep talking about Brandon, I’ll need to compose myself, as it works better if I block him out.
“All of it. What if you had a chance to tell him how you feel face-to-face?”
I shake my head. “I can’t.”
“But what if it’s meant to be? What if you both need to talk to move on? There are many unanswered questions for both of you. Besides, you were friends first.”
“Honestly, I don’t have the strength.” Lifting a finger, I hail the server to order drinks because of the way this conversation is headed, and I’m going to need another fast.
The server arrives with a glass of champagne for Penny and me. “Zara ordered for you.”
Penny and I clink glasses. “Now you have a little liquid courage. Do you think you might find the heart to speak to him?” Her eyes are apologetic.
“What?” I spin in my seat to find Brandon only a few feet away. Panic runs through me. “Did you set me up?”Ugh,I’m so fucking angry with Penny and her optimism.
“Penny, may I swap places for a while?” Brandon asks politely.
“No.” I throw the white cotton napkin on the table. I hold my breath and close my eyes while I count to five because I’m about to have a heart attack. “Allow me to swap. You have some nerve coming here.”
Brandon places a gentle hand on my shoulder before I manage to push out of my chair. “Please just give me a moment, Lottie. It’ll be a quiet conversation between friends since we’re in a reputable restaurant.” As if that will stop me from making a scene.
Penny stands with her champagne in hand. “We’re just out back if you need us.”
I scowl at her. “Then place an order for smelly socks pizza because that’s how much this stinks.” I blow out a breath, puffing air into my cheeks.Goddamn, my heart can’t handle this.I shake my head and stare at the menu because it’s safer than looking athim. An awkward silence follows to the point where I can hear a pin drop since I have blocked everything out to what’s happening around me.
“I don’t know what I’ve done wrong since I was with you last.” His voice is a whisper, almost a plea for me to look at him. “All I know is I had to see you any way I could. Beg you to listen to me.”
I glance up, and my chest tightens, seeing his defeated expression. His bottom lip quivers. “I don’t know who I am without you. But the moment I saw you, I knew I had to fight because I’m not wasting this chance without trying to fix what I broke. Last night, it was like a knife to my fucking heart watching you leave withhim,” he says under his breath.
So this is jealousy. “I’m not yours, BJ. I can do what I want,” I snap. Tears well in my eyes thinking about last night. River kissed me, and then I asked him to leave because I felt nothing, and it was not fair to him. I then explained it was never going to work. I cried myself to sleep, knowing I’m incapable of loving again. “You,” I say harshly. “Brokeme.”
He nods. “Moja greška,” he murmurs.
“What did you say?”
