When the Wind Chimes - Mary Ting Page 0,79

to know who he was having dinner with. If he were there with Bridget, she would have seen Tyler and would have wanted to stop by.

My sister pinched her lips, contemplating. “Fine. If you don’t care then what’s so hard about thanking him?”

To be honest, I didn’t have an answer.

“Did you say who Mr. Medici is?” Father gulped his wine down and poured himself another glass.

I wanted to change the topic. “Did you take your high blood pressure medicine, Dad?”

He sliced another piece of his steak. “Yes. This morning. Your mother always reminds me.” He stroked her cheek, his loving gaze tender and sweet.

My parents had been married more than thirty years. Yes, they’d had their ups and downs like all couples, but their love was strong. I hoped to find a love like theirs one day. I wished that for Abby as well.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to the restroom.” I placed my cloth napkin on my seat and left.

As I passed by the Christmas tree, past the window with pretty lights, and passed tables occupied with couples having romantic dinners, I prayed I wouldn’t run into Lee. As long as Lee didn’t come out of his private room, all would be just fine.

I halted short of the restroom when a door opened, blocking my way.

Lee stepped out. My heart somersaulted. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Either he had seen me coming this way or it was pure coincidence. But the way he rushed indicated it was likely the first.

“Kate—” he began, but I unintentionally cut him off.

“Hello, Lee.” Nervousness took over me. Act natural. Steady the pulse. You can do this. “Thank you for the wine. That was very sweet of you, but you didn’t have to do that. I was going to stop by to thank you at your table, but I didn’t know where you were seated.”

“I’m in that room.” He pointed to the closed door. “You can’t see me from the outside, but I can see out. Anyway, it’s my pleasure. Your parents?”

“Yes. They just got back from the cruise. They’ll be here for another week.”

Why did he close the door? Does he not want me to see his date?

I had to stop torturing myself. I’d only known him for two weeks, and I couldn’t believe I had fallen for him. I kept replaying the painting, playful fight incident, and that almost-kiss.

Our eyes locked briefly in the silence that fell between us and I looked away. He had such soulful, beautiful eyes. I could lose myself in them.

Lee took a step closer. When I retreated, my heel touched the wall. He took another step, his eyes darkening with something I couldn’t understand. But his expression reminded me of our almost kiss in the painting room.

“Bridget misses you,” he whispered, his gaze piercing.

If he had said he missed me, I would’ve kissed him. But I wasn’t sure if I was reading this situation right.

“I miss her too,” I said breathlessly.

A man walked out of the restroom, breaking our moment. Then a mother and her toddler shouldered between us to pass by.

Lee stood closer than before, our feet inches apart, with his hands shoved in his front pockets. “Would it be okay if Bridget calls you? She didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.”

The ache knotted tighter and I swallowed hard. “Yes, of course. You still have my number, right?”

“Yes.”

“Mona is coming tomorrow?” I wrung my hair over my ear just to do something with my shaky hands.

“The day after. Tomorrow is Christmas. When are you flying back home?”

I blinked. “That’s right. I’m getting my days confused.” I rubbed the side of my head and released my gaze from him. “I-I’m leaving in three days.”

Lee’s eyebrows pinched. “So soon.”

I looked back up at him and the dagger in my heart twisted even more. I needed to end this. The longer I was with him, the more I didn’t want to let him go.

“I need to get back to work,” I said. “My vacation time is over. Thank you again for the wine. Enjoy your dinner.”

I stepped to the side, but Lee mirrored me, and said, “I was surprised you got sick so suddenly. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

My cheeks flared hot. His tone indicated he knew I had lied. It was a perfect opportunity to tell him the truth. But what did it matter? We were never going to be a couple. It was best to leave on my terms.

I