Page 70 of Completely Captivated
Christa
The texts had slowed down considerablyover the past three weeks, and I’d hardly seen Aaron at all in that time.While he used to send the texts daily and the intermittent letters, I was lucky to receive a couple texts per week.I hadn’t received a letter in a while, and wondered if I would.He came into my café the same days every week.I wanted Allie to ask where he’d been, but she hadn’t.
She called me out on it one morning.
“Not knowing where he’s been is driving you crazy.You need to woman up and ask your husband what he’s been filling his days with.Before someone else does.”Her words struck a chord in me I’d not fully experienced before.It was a mixture of sheer panic, heartbreak, and jealousy.
“What makes you think I even care?”I threw back at her.
She stopped wiping the empty table and speared me with her penetrating glare.“You may be able to bullshit some people, but not me, Christa Lanes-Rivers.So why don’t you try leveling with me, and with yourself, instead of running from your feelings?
“Yes, Aaron fucked up your relationship.But you’ve done your fair share to keep it fucked up.Make up your mind if you want him around and quit stringing him along.Because you’re not being fair to him, just like Jared wasn’t fair to you when he was away at college.And, you’re being an immature little bitch about it.”
Ouch.
What hurt even worse than her words was knowing I couldn’t argue.I hadn’t given Aaron the same respect I’d expected from Jared.Only Aaron deserved more because at least he tried to reconcile with me.
Or hewastrying, at least.Had he given up on my stupid ass?
He should come in that morning, if he continued the same schedule he had over the past few weeks.I arrived extra early that morning to cook, finding myself eager to make something special for his breakfast.Like I did when we first met.
That day seemed so long ago now.Looking back hurt because I realized something that morning, when I burned my arm removing the trays from the oven.As much as the day he presented me with a divorce settlement devastated me, learning about his medical condition must have had a similar impact on him.
Yet, he never gave up on me, no matter how hard I tried to push him away.Regardless of how stubborn and resistant I’d been to his attempts, he’d been true to his word.He’d told and shown me repeatedly he loved me.
I could only hope and pray I hadn’t waited too long.
Every time the bell chimed with a new customer, I was disturbingly excited and hopeful I’d see Aaron walking in.Then when I realized he wasn’t there yet, my spirits fell a little more.He was usually there by 7:00 a.m., so at 9:45, I was convinced he’d moved on without me.
“Good morning.”I knew that smooth, masculine voice.The one that wrapped around me like a warm blanket on a cold night.The one I needed to hear and feel.The one I loved.
I turned to face him, my heart catching in my throat.“Good morning.I’d nearly given up on you.”My words held a double meaning, and I wondered if he’d pick up on it.
“You were expecting me?”He sounded surprised—and hopeful.I’d been so wrapped up in my own hurt, I hadn’t stopped to consider how badly I’d hurt him over the past several weeks.
“I hoped I’d see you today.You’ve probably already had breakfast somewhere else.Can I get you some coffee?”
“Actually, I’m starving.I was out all night and didn’t get home until just before sunrise this morning.I’d love to stay in bed all day, but sleep will have to wait.”
He was out all night?Had he met someone else?
“You said you hoped I’d be here this morning.Is there something we need to talk about?”
After he spoke again, I realized I’d been standing there staring at him with my mouth open.Attractive, Christa.Real slick.
“Yes, if you have time to talk.We can have breakfast together and talk if you’d like.”
“Sure.Whatever’s easiest for you is fine with me.I’ll have whatever you’re having.”He pulled his wallet out and handed me a $20 bill.“I’ll even buy your breakfast for you.”
Just like with every other time he tried to pay, I took his money and put it underneath the cash drawer.He had no idea, but it was important to me.
“Pick a table with a view for us.I’ll be right back.”
That smile.He flashed that smile at me, and my heart ran wild.Before the flush on my cheeks gave my thoughts away, I turned and rushed to the kitchen to grab our plates from the warming drawer.
On my way back, I noticed he picked the table directly in front of the hall that led to the kitchen rather than the one in front of the picture window.“This is your table with a view?”
“Yep.A view of your nice ass walking away from me and your beautiful face walking toward me.No table anywhere provides a better view than this one.”
