His eyes lift from our hands to my eyes as his narrow and then he slowly shakes his head at me, as if the disappointment he seems to feel is warranted at all.
He’s the one that said we were done. He’s the one that pushed me away. So why does he have the right to feel angry at seeing me with another man? Not that anything is going to happen with Andrew anyway, but still—it’s the principle of the matter.
Just as my bottom lips falls and a sharp intake of oxygen hits my lungs, he turns and walks away with his fists clenched at his sides. His construction uniform was on, which makes me wonder if he is working nearby or maybe he just came into town for lunch. Either way, the last thing I expected was to see him today and get a reaction like that out of him.
“Was that a friend of yours?” Andrew questions, pulling my attention back to him as he releases my hand and takes a drink of his iced tea.
“What? Oh … uh …”
“Is he why you won’t give me a chance?”
My neck snaps back at his bold assessment. “What makes you think there’s anything going on between that man and me? All you saw was him looking through a window. He could have been looking in here at anyone.”
Andrew scoffs. “Please. I’m not stupid, Sydney. And neither is your father. He knows you’ve been seeing someone, at least that’s what he’s disclosed to me. But he also believes that you and I together would benefit us both greatly and hopes that you’ll finally pull your head out of the sand and realize that yourself.”
I tilt my head to the side, studying him as he looks across the restaurant smugly. “Let me ask you something, Andrew ….”
He shrugs and then loosens another button on his navy blue blazer as he gets comfortable in his chair. “Sure.”
“Do you honestly care so much about your reputation and career that you are willing to marry someone you don’t love?”
He stares at me with a slight upturn of his lips, either hiding a smile or covering up his indecisiveness. “I think we could both benefit greatly from our union…”
“That’s not what I asked. I asked you if you are willing to marry someone you don’t love as a sacrifice to your career and reputation.”
I can sense the hesitation on his face, but he quickly hides it through a squint and a slimy smile. “Yes, I think I am …”
I shake my head and then sigh, moving to grab my purse from the floor beneath the table. “Well, I’m not. Please give my father that same message since I no longer have time to waste on this lunch.”
“He’s not going to take your dismissal kindly, Sydney. I’ll be fine. I have other women I can choose to fill your role. But your father is worried about you.” Suddenly his face softens and there’s a hint of concern in his features. “He’s afraid you’re going to make a mistake with who you give your heart to. Sometimes it’s better to leave emotions out of things.”
As I stand, my eyes bounce all around the restaurant as I process Andrew’s words before they land back on him. “Well, that’s my mistake to make. And I’m a big girl and can deal with the consequences. I hope you find what you’re looking for Andrew. I’m just not her.”
“Good luck, Sydney,” he says with a mock salute as I turn and head straight for the exit of the restaurant. As soon as my feet hit the pavement outside, my head spins as I search for any sign of Javier.
Is he still nearby? Did he translate what he saw as me moving on with someone else already? If the man weren’t so stubborn, he’d know that he was the one I wanted, in every possible way. Somewhere along the line, my need for him became beyond physical. I looked forward to every interaction, every moment when I got to see his face. I anxiously awaited his random texts because they meant that he was thinking about me.
And after seeing the look on his face, the betrayal reflected in his golden eyes as he stared at me through the window, I know we need to talk. I don’t want him to think that he is replaceable or that Andrew is the man I want.
All I want is him.
I glance down at my phone to check the time, cursing the hour when I realize I don’t have time to chase him down. I’m due in court in an hour and a half and still need to prepare. I rush back to the office and try to block out the lunch while also waiting for the phone call from my father reprimanding me for leaving yet another meal with him.
But I just can’t be concerned anymore. If he won’t listen, then I no longer feel the need to give him an explanation.
When the clock strikes five, I run from the office out to my car, heading straight for Javier’s house, but then remember that it’s Thursday, which means he will be at the gym until nine. Deflated and irritated, I turn around and drive home, allowing me to take pause and at least change before I head over later.
I will not let this carry on any longer. We need to talk and if he won’t listen, then I will make him listen. I am not about to sacrifice the comfort and pleasure I feel with him, especially after my conversation with Andrew today. I don’t want to end up with someone who is ‘just fine’ or doesn’t make my cheeks burn from smiling so hard at the thought of them or my heart
