The family's willing to take me on the camping trip this weekend. Hmmm.....
I make no promises.
"Having fun?"
Surprise flickered in his eyes as he took in the woman who'd just broken apart his circle of friends with her boldness. "You. What are you doing here?"
She smiled, wide, the joy reaching her eyes. She gestured to the group of laughing women behind her. "We're celebrating a friend's happiness."
"New job?" asked one of his friend.
She turned to the man, bedazzling him with her friendly smile. "No."
"Engagement?" asked another of his friend.
"Close," she said, again with a warmth that was neither suggestive or sexual, but alluring nonetheless.
He watched them, these men he called friends, men he'd known for years, watch her and felt his annoyance rise. He did not like them looking at her with such interest. "It's a divorce," he stated.
She turned to him, eyes bright. "Right. How did you know?"
"Lucky guess. You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to say hello to you."
"Liar," he said, aware every pair of eyes at the table were on them.
"It's the truth."
He doubted that. A woman didn't just stop by to say hello after a two year disappearance. Without giving her a chance to protest he took her by the elbow and guided her outside. "What do you want?"
"I told you, I saw you and wanted to say hello."
He took in her hurt expression. Never before did he hate her wide-eyed innocence as much as he did at the moment. Because despite what he wanted to believe, she was telling the truth. Damn her. "You've said hello, now leave."
She didn't. Instead, she took an inspective step closer, regarding him with puzzlement. "You're angry at me."
"How intuitive. You've just figured that out now?"
"Why?" Her voice rose. "Why are you angry with me?"
"You're kidding me right?"
She glared at him. "No. What did I do to make you this mad at me?"
The thought of not answering, of leaving her and returning to his friends to enjoy his night and drink himself into oblivion crossed his mind. He turned to do just that when he felt her hand on his arm. He looked down at it. Memories flooded him. Her hand intertwined in his. Her hand pressed up against his. She had this stupid thing of always comparing their hands when they first met, as if she couldn't quite believe her hands were tinier than his.
"Please," she whispered.
He ignored the plea. He owed her nothing. He didn't have to give her an explanation.
He took a step...and stopped.
"You left," he said, angry with himself for giving in.
Confusion crossed over her features. "What?"
"You left," he repeated. "Without an explanation, without a single word."
She stared at him for a long moment. "I..." The word trailed off.
Silence encapsulated the night.
"I didn't think you'd care," she finally said.
"You're right, I don't," he lied. The need to get away from her overwhelmed him. She was bringing up emotions he'd long buried. Emotions he wanted to stay buried.
"I'm--"
"Don't apologize," he cut in.
"Do you want to know why?"
"No." Again, a lie.
....TBC....
I'm craving something good, I just don't know what.
