Turning, I saw Angela in a robe and slippers.
As I ran my fingers through my hair, I tried to find the words to explain myself. But nothing I said would make this OK.
“I’m sorry.” I was already putting my coat on. “It’s not you, I promise.”
She barked out a laugh.
“It never is,” she said.
“I’m serious. It wasn’t fair for me to keep going when I couldn’t get my head into it. I’m…struggling getting over someone. Having you take my mind off her isn’t fair to you.”
She smiled, an authentic one. But it didn’t last.
“Whatever, you can see yourself out.” She was already filling a wine glass. “Next time, don’t go home with anyone, dude.”
I was out her door quick, down the stairs and on the street within minutes. This never would have happened a couple years ago. When things went south with a girl, I got over it by moving on to the next one.
This meant one of two things. Either I was growing up and becoming a big boy. Or I was fucked because I was never getting over Maryellen.
Either way, I needed a bar and another drink.
CHAPTER 13
Maryellen
Garrett was right on time to pick me up for our date. He was dressed nice in a dark pair of jeans and a gray quarter-zip sweater. His light brown hair was gelled back more than for the party. His eyes were still a stunning blue.
He brought me flowers.
He was super cute.
He was well-dressed.
I learned he had a great job on Wall Street.
He and I had a great conversation at dinner.
We talked more tonight than both the other dates combined.
So why was my mind constantly thinking only about Chase the entire evening?
Maybe because all day at work, Chase was nowhere to be found. He was in charge since Gage was away, so it was possible he was doing his chiefly duties, but something inside told me that wasn’t the case. That and the fact that I received a few calls asking for his whereabouts.
We were supposed to meet about his office renovations as well, and he was a no-show for that. I made a few of the final decorative decisions for him since he bailed. He didn’t respondto calls on his office or cell phone, nor to text messages. Yet, when I reached out to Mitch, he said he’d just seen him.
I tried to force my brain to focus on the cute guy sitting across the table from me. His white teeth sparkled when he smiled, but not quite as much as Chase’s. His blue eyes were gorgeous, but I seemed to like the hazel green of someone else’s a bit more.
I wasn’t being fair. To him or me.
“So how is it working at Parker Financial?” he asked.
“I like it a lot. I’ve been there since I graduated.”
He swirled the wine in his glass as he thought about his next words.
“You work for Gage, but you seem pretty close with his brother.”
Oh crap.
