Bereft - Jennifer Foor Page 0,66
ankles. “What?” I asked.
“I know what you’re doing.”
He couldn’t, but even if it was possible, I refused to argue. I was too elated. “Deal with it. When I get back to my apartment Sunday, I want you there.”
“Rach, don’t make plans with me yet. You don’t know what will happen.”
“I do. I already know.”
He brought his finger up to my lips to stop me from speaking then shook his head. “If only life were that easy.” He paused for a moment. “I want you to have a nice weekend. Wherever your heart leads you know I’ve enjoyed being close to you, getting to know the person you are on the inside, and without clothes. Life is crazy. Shit happens we can’t control. We have to live it to the fullest.” His hand came up and brushed my cheek. I leaned into it and closed my eyes. “Be safe driving. I’ll see you on Monday.”
I watched Chad walk away from me. He went so fast I knew I wouldn’t be able to catch up in heels. There was so much I wanted to say to him, to know about how he felt, but I didn’t have time to ask him. Maybe he was right. Maybe I needed to find closure before I looked toward the future.
Chapter 28
Grayson
We had plans to meet at a park and ride off the beltway, in between her office and our home. I’d been sitting there waiting for nearly fifteen minutes when she finally pulled into the spot next to me.
Rachel had never looked better. She’d changed her appearance, and even began wearing more makeup. She seemed less stressed, up until her eyes locked on mine. Then I watched a concerned grimace take over her face. I got out of the car to greet her and place her bag in the trunk. She rolled her eyes and met me a the rear of the vehicle. “You look nice,” I noted.
“Whatever. Don’t think that charming me will change the way I feel. I’m doing this for closure, Grayson. I’m tired of being in limbo.”
“Fair enough. Although, I would appreciate it if we left our baggage here in this parking lot, and I’m not talking about your overnight bag. It’s only fair if we go into this with open minds, Rachel. I’m not asking you to relive the past. I’m asking for a new future, where we could start over and build something stronger than we’ve ever had before.”
“I understand what you’re asking of me. I’ll do my best. This isn’t exactly how I would have liked this to go, but I’m here and I’ll try to keep an open mind.”
“What about the guy you’re seeing? Chad?”
“You know who he is?” I finally got her attention. “When did you figure it out?”
“It doesn’t matter. I need to know this weekend will be about us. It’s only fair to leave everything else in our lives behind. It’s for three days. That’s all I’m asking. If you decide we’re over, I’ll watch you walk away. I won’t fight with you. It’s ultimately your decision.”
Rachel tossed her bag in the trunk and headed for the passenger seat of the car without replying to my comment. I couldn’t tell whether she was annoyed, or afraid of what I knew. It didn’t matter. Unless I had her full attention this weekend wouldn’t help us.
I’d been driving for ten miles before she spoke. “Are we going to stop somewhere for dinner? I’m starving.”
“I had a place in mind. It’s about twenty minutes from here. Can you wait that long?”
She stared out the window as she answered. “Yeah.”
The place I wanted to take her was special. I knew she wouldn’t remember it until we arrived. We hadn’t gone there since my first wife had passed away. It was on the way to the institution she’d been living at. We’d taken the drive to pick up the little bit of her belongings she’d been able to keep. On the way home we were hungry and exhausted. We pulled over at the first place we came to, which happened to be a motel with a small diner attached. After we had a home-cooked meal, we sat there talking for hours, finally succumbing to our fatigued bodies. We got a room, but after an emotional embrace, one thing led to another. We stayed up half the night making love, discovering new things about each other, and setting the pace for a future wedding. That following weekend I asked her