Page 47 of Completely Captivated
When he showed up at my door promptly at eight, wearing a fresh suit and tie with hair perfectly styled, I knew he went home after work to change.He cared about his appearance, I got that, but I couldn’t help comparing him to Aaron.Jared took time to primp and groom himself to the exact right degree.Aaron was sexy and striking without even trying.
“You are absolutely stunning.I love you in heels and a sexy dress.”His eyes raked over me from top to bottom, then back up again.
Though he meant it as a compliment, his actions only made me feel uncomfortable.
“Thank you.You look very handsome yourself.”I grabbed my clutch and locked my apartment door on our way out.“Where are you taking me?”
He rattled off the name of the newest, most exclusive restaurant in the San Francisco area, as I expected.The memory of the impromptu picnic with Aaron in the wildflower clearing popped into my mind.How relaxed I felt with him on our first date.How I never wanted it to end.How I’d give anything to be back there again in his arms right now.It was all I could do to keep from running back into my apartment and barricading myself inside.
But I didn’t.Because I had to move on no matter how much it hurt.
The drive to the restaurant was quick, or maybe it just seemed it was because I was lost in my head.I blamed it on the long day I’d had and apologized for my silence.Inwardly, I was thankful Aaron allowed it.I meantJared.Jared allowed it.
The chic restaurant was a refurbished two-story warehouse, with floor-to-ceiling windows covering the front.We climbed the few steps to the front door, and a doorman was there to greet us.Once we were seated, I took a minute to absorb the posh and pomp surrounding me, and I felt completely out of place.An older couple stopped briefly to say hello to Jared, filling the dead air in our nonexistent conversation.When we were close friends before he left, I couldn’t remember a single time we ran out of conversation topics.
“I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you to them.I couldn’t remember his wife’s name, and all I could think about was making a fool of myself if I called her by the wrong one.”
That visual made me laugh, and it felt good to hear myself make that sound again.Apparently, we needed the laugh over his discomfort to break the tension and get the conversation flowing.He was still the same person I remembered from so many years ago, and right then, I needed all the friends I could get.
After we finished eating, Jared and I chatted while we waited for the valet to bring the car around.I felt relaxed after the bottle of wine and the exhausting day, and I realized maybe I’d let my guard down a little too much when a text set off my phone alert.When I looked at the screen, my hands shook so much I nearly dropped my phone.
It was a message from Aaron.
What I would give to be holding you right now.
Realization
Aaron
ItookDelilah’s challenge to heart.A week ago, she asked how I planned to win Christa back, and that made me realize I needed a legitimate plan if I had any hope of succeeding.After my disastrous apology, it was clear I had to change my tactics completely to break through the walls she’d constructed around her heart.
She was still mine, and I’d makeherremember before it was too late.
Part one of my “win Christa back” campaign was to send her short text messages to let her know I was thinking of her.I tried to figure out what to say as a follow-up to the first message, something more heartfelt, when my ringing doorbell stopped me.
When I opened the door, I couldn’t decide if I was more disappointed that my visitor wasnotChrista…or that itwasLance.
“What do you want?”
“Is that any way to greet your brother?”He brushed by me and into my condo, glancing around as if he was looking for someone.
“She’s not here.”I closed the door and walked into the room behind him.“Yet.”
“You convinced her to take you back?”
Even though his reply rubbed me the wrong way, the inflection in his tone was sincere.The thing was, I wouldn’t have to convince her to take me back had I not listened to him in the first place.I couldn’t put the blame on him, no matter how much I wanted to do just that.
“No.She had a great argument for not accepting my apology.”
“I’m very good at arguing and negotiating.Let me help.”
“No fucking way.Why are you here anyway?”
“Come on, Aaron.I’m your brother, I can help you.”
I hated to admit how stupid I was, but that was the truth.“She pointed out what an idiot I am.There were a few days missing, yes.But we’d been together a lot longer than that, so I shouldn’t have handled it the way I did.”
“You mean the waywehandled it.”Lance shook his head then found an interesting spot on the floor to stare at longer than normal.“I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time.But if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change my initial reaction.My first thought is to protect you—always.Maybe I don’t always respond in the best way, but you’re always my first thought.”
