Stone
“What the hell did you tell her?” I demand after bursting into my friend’s place of business.
“I didn’t tell her anything. I swear,” Cayden says, ringing up a customer.
“If you didn’t tell her and I didn’t tell her, how does she know?”
“Are you sure she does?” Cayden asks.
“Why the hell else would she accuse me of moving on and end things with me?”
“Stone,” my friend says my name like I’m missing something that’s as obvious as my nose. “Think about it.”
“I did, and I don’t know why she thinks taking my place on the bank is me moving on.”
“Buddy,” he says in a compassionate tone. “That’s not what she means.”
“It’s not?”
“No.”
“Then what is she talking about?”
“If you were in her place and saw her eating dinner with a guy after she ignored you for days and then claimed she was too tired to have dinner withyou, what would you think?”
I sigh, letting all my hope and energy, good and bad, seep out with my breath. “Are you saying she’s jealous?”
“I’m saying it’s worse than a simple case of jealousy.”
“Does she think I cheated on her?”
He shrugs. “Most likely. That makes sense.”
“No. She knows I’m crazy in love with her?”
Cayden shrugs. “Yet, you didn’t bother to call and explain what happened to her. You didn’t give her a heads up that you were worried about her safety. And you didn’t set aside time to catch her up to speed once you were physically able to.”
“I need to make sure she’s protected when I can’t be there. I’m almost out of time. It’s one thing for her to break up with me because she doesn’t want to wait a decade, I get that, but not because she thinks I want to be with someone else.”
“Tell her, Stone.”
I shake my head. She doesn’t want to be permanently tied to someone. I won’t make her feel guilty and force her hand.”
“It’s not forcing her hand, it’s giving her a choice. If you love her as much as you say you do, you’ll give her that choice.”
“YOU NEED TO EXPLAINto the little lady that her little stunt threatens to land you on the unemployment line.” Erik says, taking the seat next to me at Poison Brew Liquors and Spirits.
I shrug. “Doesn’t matter, she broke up with me. And I won’t need a paying job, I already have one waiting.”
“Seeing as I’m the one signing your paychecks and you committed to working with me, I’ll expect you back at her place Monday, regardless of whether Ms. Ramos wants you there or not.”
“I thought we follow the motto that the customer is always right.”
“Yes. And I do believe the problem is you tried to please Ms. Ramos using skills other than your craftsmanship.”
“I’m not in the mood.”
“Too bad. You leave work early, I’m going to be on your ass.”
