Been There Done That (Leffersbee #1) - Hope Ellis Page 0,99
saw you kiss that girl—”
“I know, but you have to understand, I didn’t kiss that girl. She kissed me. And if you’d just given me a chance, told me what was going on instead of sending back the ring with that note—” I’d never forget those words, not as long as I lived. I guess forever doesn’t always last. I cleared my throat. “It was like dying, like losing my life a second time.”
We stared at each other. The only sound in her kitchen was the humming of the fridge.
“I know you need some time to process this.” It was the right thing to say, the fair thing to say, when what I really wanted was to beg her forgiveness. Ask her for a second, a third chance. Tell her I wouldn’t leave until she granted it, not after I’d waited all these years. Persuade her that I’d only been thinking of her safety and well-being when I’d decided to leave so abruptly.
She nodded. “Hearing this, it’s devastating. To know we both spent so much of our lives working from the wrong assumptions. It’s hard to even think about.”
I nodded.
“But, Nick. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m so sorry you went through all this alone. If you had let me, I’d have been there for you.”
I looked away.
Damn. She was still the woman I remembered.
Then she did the last thing I expected her to do. She opened her arms to me.
I took a moment to collect myself, to shove away the emotion climbing up my throat. My face was still turned away when I heard her chair drag against the floor as she stood. Leaning awkwardly on one foot, she wrapped her arms around me. I reached for her, seated her on my lap so she could rest her foot.
I accepted her embrace.
“I’ve missed this,” I confessed into her neck. “I missed you so much. Is this the part where you kick me out?”
She pulled back to look at me. “This is hard for me right now. It’s not okay. I’m not okay. I’ve barely begun to absorb what all this means. But I think it’s important for you to know that I understand, even if I don’t agree with your actions. And it breaks my heart that you went through all that alone, without me.”
“Where do we go from here?” The words cost me everything, left me paralyzed in anticipation of her response.
Her eyes looked sad. “I guess it’s like you said. I think this needs time.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Zora
There was no air in the ballroom.
Jackson and I pushed our way through the throng of bodies, buffeted on all sides by loud chatter, bright lights, and competing perfumes. I followed closely behind him, grateful my foot had healed enough to allow me to ditch my crutches. Jackson turned back to say something and I shook my head, unable to decipher his words amidst the blaring music. A brass band boogied on a raised platform at the foot of the room. The lead singer, a stunning woman with glittery brown skin and a voluminous curly Afro, led us through a thrilling carousel of Motown tunes as the band provided throbbing, upbeat accompaniment.
Jackson rested a hand against my lower back, tucking me into his side as he spoke directly in my ear. “I said you look amazing.”
I looked down at my dress. Leigh had used my credit card to rent it just before she’d left. I hadn’t known what to expect given her “celebrate your body” philosophy and my commitment to hiding my flaws, but I’d been overwhelmed by her selection. In a good way. It was a metallic gown in shades of red and copper that reflected and refracted the light so that I looked like a living flame. There was a little more cleavage than I would have liked, but it also had a daring split that gave the illusion of proportion.
I felt like a goddess.
“Thank you.” I pulled back just in time to see his gaze slide from my cleavage to my face. “Really. But are your eyes going to be on my chest all night?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Why lie? Yup.”
I whacked his arm with my clutch. “I’m already self-conscious. Please behave.”
His brows lifted. “Why? Where’s the fun in that?” A pretty young woman bearing a tray of hors d’oeuvres wandered over. Jackson stroked his chin as he considered the offerings. “Do we get to eat real food at this thing? Or is this it?”