Though, she was the only woman I ever kept around for longer than a month, and now I see that’s what Belle hated the most.
“Hey.” I plaster on a grin, trying to be polite.
She startles me by leaning in and hugging me tight, and by the time I pull back, Belle has already ripped her hand away from mine.
Anna looks between us, and her face grows serious. “Are you two together?” I don’t miss how she doesn’t say hi to Belle.
“We are,” I state confidently, hoping Annabelle doesn’t fight me on it.
Instead, it’s worse. She doesn’t say a word. She just looks between Anna and me and then turns to leave.
I don’t get a chance to say goodbye to Anna as I instinctively turn and run out of the restaurant after Belle.
The ride in the lift is silent and uncomfortable, filled with tension I don’t know how to handle.
When we step out onto the street, I take Belle by the hand and pull her toward our waiting car. “Let’s just forget about her and continue our night. I have lots planned.” I smile and try to shrug off the last ten seconds.
“Not happening,” she deadpans.
I stop walking and pull her so she faces me. “Belle.” I sigh. “You make it seem like I planned to run into her; I don’t want this to ruin the night.”
She rips her hand from mine again and crosses her arms. “Consider it ruined, and you might not have planned it, but this is ourfirstdate, and we aren’t even in London. The second we’re back home, we’ll be swarmed by all the women you’ve fucked,” she snaps.
Fuck this. Now I’m pissed.
“Did you forget your ex was there too, someone I want to kill? Someone you dated forthreefucking years. And you’re worried about my ex?”
She stills, and her face drops. “Ex?” she whispers. “You’ve told me multiple times you and Anna were nothing more than a hookup.”
God dammit, this is so fucked. I rub my hands down my face in frustration. “Wrong choice of words. I’ve never been in a relationship before. I’ve never wanted to be in one until you, but you can’t blame me for what happened back there. Becausenothinghappened.”
I’ve done everything to show her how much I care for her, and with one quick run-in, she freaks out.
What the hell is that about?
“Fuck, Annabelle. What do I need to do? I can’t go back in time. If I could, I would. I would forgo all my bachelor days if I knew we would be together in the end. But I can’t. Are you going to be able to get over the fact that I have a past? And I’m not trying to be a dick, but so do you. There could be a good chance we run into one of your hookups, too, not just Trey. So before you judge me, think about it for a fucking second. Please!” I can’t catch my breath… The more I think about how she fled the scene, the angrier I get.
I wanted tonight to be perfect, to show her I could be the person she’s always wanted.
How the fuck do I do that if she won’t let me in?
I look up and can see my words have affected her. “Let’s just go.” I sigh.
She doesn’t move toward the car with me. Instead, she looks like she’s fighting some internal battle with herself.
I don’t have the energy anymore. “Come on. I don’t want to be standing on the street any longer.”
She shakes her head vigorously. “No. Let’s forget all that. I would really like it if you could take me on the rest of our date now, please?” She holds out her hand in a gesture of… hope, maybe?
I know I should say yes. She’s asking for a clean slate from tonight. But, honestly, I’m tired.
I’m tired of trying to prove myself—not just now, but in general. It’s felt like an uphill battle my whole life.
I’m done.
I smile sadly. “Another time. I’m not feeling up to it anymore.”
Holding the car door open, I motion for her to get in. She hesitates, then nods, knowing I won’t change my mind.
