Page 133 of The Heart You Kept

“Because my heart is not safe. I have no defenses against him. If he broke me I wouldn’t recover because I am totally and utterly….”

“In love?”

I shrug as I try to articulate my thoughts. “In lust, in denial, in a fatal fucking attraction movie. I know I just need to forget him once and for all.”

“Somehow I don’t think you’re going to be able to do that.”

I exhale heavily. “What would you do if you were me?”

“Run headfirst into the fire.” He gives me a sad smile.

“Why?”

“Because what I wouldn’t give to feel like that about someone.”

“Even if you knew it was going to end badly?”

“It’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.”

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re a hopeless romantic, Mr. Thomas Stone?”

“Maybe in another life.” He smiles as he takes a bite of food off his fork. “This one’s too fun as it is.”

An hour and a half later we walk back to the hotel with the guards trailing behind, it’s been the weirdest night, they haven’t tried to hide from us and only once interacted with me when Thomas put his hand on mine. But other than that they are just loitering around. We get to the corner opposite the hotel and we stop on the spot.

“I….” He looks over to the hotel. “I would offer to come in…but.”

“Of course.” I smile. “Thanks for being a great listener.”

“Anytime.” He smiles back. “So lunch next week?”

“I’d love to. Call me.”

“Okay.” He kisses my cheek.

“Move along,” a stern voice says from behind us.

“Yeah, yeah,” Thomas scoffs. “Bye, Alora. Good luck.” He turns and walks off down the street and I turn and scowl at the men. “We’re just friends. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Just doing our job, madam.” He shrugs as he gestures to the hotel. “This way.”

Great, now I’m being told to go to bed…. While Edward is off on his date.

I look left and then right, maybe I should just run for it and go and stay in another hotel for the night. But then my things are inside and I have to find another hotel at this hour, ugh it’s not even worth the drama.

I trudge across the road and walk into the foyer and get into the elevator. The doors close and I stare straight ahead. Thomas is right, this isn’t a healthy situation. Edward Prescott can bring nothing to me that would enhance my life; so far all he’s done is decimate it.

I need to forget him.

The crack of light through the drapes has moved all the way across the bedroom. Ticking every moment of time with it along the way. The night has been long.

I haven’t heard from Edward, not that I expected to I guess.

I never do.

He spent the night with Colette no doubt, while I lay here like a pathetic fool.

I’m too old for this crap, when I get out of bed tomorrow, which is actually very soon, I vow to never think of Edward Prescott again.