Chapter 16
The next few weeks were excruciating, not only waiting for the answer on the promotion, but fighting the urge to contact Jake. But I’d righted my life and moved on, at least as far as work was concerned. However, my emotions were still in shambles.
Beth lifted her glass and tapped it against mine. “Congratulations on the promotion. You deserve it.”
“Thanks.”
“Why don’t you look more excited? Still thinking about Jake?”
I shrugged as my phone lit up. “He’s forgotten all about me,” I said, glancing at the text:
Hi, stranger. How are things?
“Not likely.” Beth waved toward my phone. “Is that him?”
“Why would it be?” Keeping my head down, I tapped in my reply, hitting enter with a flourish. “It’s Christophe. Tenacious, that man.”
“They usually are in the beginning. Doesn’t it concern you that he knows Jake’s best friend?”
“That’s only a minor a complication.”
Another text appeared:
I’m in Vancouver on Friday. Can I buy you a drink?
I shifted on my bar stool and sipped my wine.
“A little soon to be flirting, isn’t it?”
“It’s been six weeks. High time to move on.” Burning tears gathered behind my eyes.
“I hate to see you like this.” My friend looped an arm around my shoulders. “It’s not too late.”
“For what? To move to Halifax, all the while crossing my fingers and hoping that whatever it was with Jake pans out? That he magically changes his mind about having another child? Meanwhile, I trash my career by ditching a huge promotion and start over in another province, ending up no happier, without a chance at my own family.”
“I’ll support you whatever you decide, as long as you’re happy. I’d miss you, sure, but being with the man you love isn’t a ridiculous idea.”
“Except it is ridiculous. Why should I sacrifice my needs for a man who has no intention of giving an inch? No, thanks.” I straightened and reached for my phone again. “Anyway, who says he’s the least bit interested in hearing from me?”
“Did you forget who I’m dating?”
Ha. That would be impossible. The woman was too far gone as evidenced by her blatant attempts to push me toward Jake. The man had her ear, when she should be on my side. “What does Greg’s opinion have to do with anything?”
“It’s not about Greg’s opinion. It’s about you being on the verge of leaping into another one of those dead-end relationships you complain about when the man you love is madly in love with you.”
“Isn’t refusing to settle a good thing?”
Beth levelled an unamused look at me. “Jake hasn’t rushed into a new relationship.”
“Goody for him,” I said as I texted Christophe:
Sounds lovely.
Christophe’s reply arrived seconds later:
I’ll come to North Vancouver. Say around 7? I’ll make reservations.
“Nothing wrong with a friendly drink or two with an eligible single guy.”
Perfect. Looking forward to it.
“Have it your way, then.” Beth signalled for refills. “Get it out of your system.”
“Maybe Christophe is the one.”
Beth wrinkled her nose, but only shrugged.
“You said it yourself. Don’t compromise on what I want. Being with Jake means giving up the promotion, my apartment, and never having my own baby. Sometimes love can’t bridge a deep divide.”
“So, you admit you love him.”
My glare silenced her, at least for now. I’d never denied loving the man, but my decision was final. Time to let go of what might have been.
Just before seven that Friday night, I followed the server onto the patio.
A grinning Christophe stood as we approached, looking sharp in dress pants and a button-down shirt. “Wow.” He took my hands, pressing warms lips to my cheek. “You’re even more gorgeous than I remember.”
“Thanks. Back at you,” I said as he pulled out my chair, waiting for me to sit before returning to his seat.
After the server had left with our drink order, the man ran slim fingers through dark hair. “How have things been? You’ve gone quiet since our text chat. That was what? Seven weeks ago?”
I dipped my chin, hoping to hide the flush of red tinging my cheeks. “Sorry about that. Drunk texting isn’t usually my style.”
“Ah,” he said, waving a hand, “it’s fine. I was happy you hadn’t lost my number.”
“It wasn’t the greatest night. Life kind of blew up.” I bit my lip. Shut up, shut up.
The man leaned back and draped his ankle across his knee. “I did get that impression. Is it resolved now?”
“Completely.”
“Then you’ve ended whatever relationship put you into that tailspin?”
“Uh-huh.”
Christophe stroked his chin. “How long were you together?”
“A couple of months.”
“So, nothing too serious then?” The emerging smile coincided with the arrival of our drink order.
“Nope, nothing serious,” I said, even if saying it felt like a lie. Just a tiny white one, though. Jake and I were done. This time, there was no going back. The only way now was forward.
The next Tuesday, I headed straight to the theatre after work to meet Beth for movie night.
When she spotted me, she waved from her place at the refreshment counter before turning back to the cashier and swiping her card over the reader.
I headed toward her, stopping short as Greg appeared at her side with a handful of napkins and three straws.
The man picked up the bag of popcorn while Beth tucked a package of chocolate candies into her purse and retrieved the drinks, fiddling with her straw as they joined me.
“We have snacks.” My friend handed me a cup of iced tea. “It’s so good to see you.” Her awkward hug was accompanied by a whispered, “Sorry.”
“Hi, Amara.” Greg waved. “Thanks for letting me be the third tonight. Beth knew I wanted to see this one.”
“Oh, no worries.” I forced a smile, sipping my drink as we moved into the queue to enter the theatres.
Beth chattered to Greg as the teenage boy at the wicket scanned the e-tickets on our phones, and we proceeded inside and took our seats.
I shook my head as Greg tipped the popcorn bag toward me, locking the sigh in my throat. I’d looked forward to the
