Page 59 of Completely Captivated
I was met by her knowing smirk.
“You bitch.”
“Takes one to know one, my dear.Now, fucking call him before I do.”She nudged me to the side so she could take the trays out of the oven.The ones I’d already forgotten and most likely had overcooked by that point.Then she left me alone in the kitchen while she filled the display case and our new bread baskets.
I glanced at the clock and shook my head at my own stupidity.I’d just filed divorce papers, and I was about to call my husband.
“Call him.He’s not going to abandon you like your shitty parents did.He’s been hanging on to you no matter how hard you try to get away.Get over your childhood abandonment issues.”
“You really should have a talk show.You’d be awesome at solving people’s deep-rooted mental problems.”
“Yes, I’m a fucking spiritual guru.Now call him.”
“Fine.After the morning slows down, I’ll think about thinking about calling him.”
The slew of profanities flowing from the front of the shop made me laugh.I was so glad my BFF was behind me no matter what.Even if she was threatening to kick my ass while she was back there.
When Allie turned the OPEN sign over and unlocked the door, customers started filing in and lining up.Jared was one of them, looking handsome in his expensive suit and tie, perfectly dressed for seeing his clientele today.
“Have you thought more about what I said?”
“Which part?”I stalled while making his coffee then gestured toward an open table.
We sat together, and I kept one eye on the counter and one on him.
“You’ve filed your divorce papers, right?”
“Right.”
“Then it’s time for you to move on.The best way for you to get past this is to move on with someone else.”
“I’m not ready for that, Jared.I’ve never been so hurt.I don’t know how to move past it.”
“But we’re perfect for each other, Christa.We’ve known each other practically all our lives.My family loves you.I love you.We should’ve taken this step years ago.”
“Maybe.But we didn’t.So now, we have to deal with where we are, and I’m not in a good place.”
“I’ll help you get there.”
“Christa, can you help me get the sourdough out of the ovens?”Allie called from behind me, saving me once again.
“Sure.Enjoy your coffee, Jared.I need to get back to work.”
“Okay, sweetheart.I’ll call you later.”
When I reached the kitchen, I looked at the ovens and back at Allie.“They’re empty.”
“Of course they’re empty.What the hell are you doing?”
“I was telling him no.”
“No.If you told him no, I would’ve heard you say ‘No, Jared.My answer is no, and don’t fucking ask me again.’Instead, I heard, ‘I’m a weak little woman who can’t make up my mind, so you do it for me, big strong man.’Made me sick to hear it.”
“Wow.Why don’t you tell me what you really think?”
“Don’t think I’m not holding back, because I am.I’m the one who loves you, and I’m only trying to help you.”
“I know you are.What would I do without you?”
