Chapter 23

Linny

I race up the sidewalk toward Nova. I was supposed to meet Roland twenty minutes ago, but my Uber driver didn’t show.

Instead of calling for another car, I hopped on the subway in my new red dress and matching heels.

It took longer than I expected to walk from the subway station to here, but I finally made it.

I peer inside the front window of the restaurant but I don’t spot my date anywhere.

After I opened the box from West, debating whether or not to cancel on Roland ate up most of my afternoon

I couldn’t get West out of my mind. That made me feel a rush of guilt over meeting another man, but this evening isn’t just about getting to know Roland better.

It’s a chance for me to enjoy some decadent food, drink good wine and relax after the brutal week I’ve had.

Taking on a new client is hard enough. When you had an amazing one-night stand with them, it makes everything that much more complicated.

Everything.

“Linny, over here.”

I turn at the sound of Roland’s voice. I recognize it right away, even though nothing about it is extraordinary.

“Roland,” I call out as I raise my hand in his direction.

I see him pushing his way through a crowd of people gathered on the sidewalk outside Nova.

As he approaches, I steel myself for our greeting. We haven’t kissed yet. The only physical contact we’ve had was a handshake the night we met and the brief hug we shared when we said goodbye in this spot almost a week ago.

He looks nice, handsome.

He’s dressed in dark jeans, a blue button-down shirt that’s open at the collar and a black blazer.

Women turn to look at him as he nears me, but those butterflies that I know should be flipping around in my stomach, aren’t there.

He goes in for a hug and I’m instantly grateful that it’s not more.

“You look gorgeous.” He pulls back and looks me over. “I have a surprise waiting for you inside.”

I’ve had my quota of surprises for this year.

I smile and wiggle my brows. “Give me a little hint.”

He taps the tip of my nose and I instantly know that any spark that might have caught fire between us has been extinguished. Forever.

The finger on the end of my nose is a classic move.

My dad has done it to me since I was a little girl.

He reaches for my hand and I let him take it while I run through the ‘ we should be friends ’ speech in my head.

I’ll need to give it before the end of the night, so it doesn’t hurt to rehearse mentally.

We push our way through the line of people near the front door. I have no idea why Roland thinks he can leapfrog to the front, but I don’t complain because I haven’t eaten anything but a bagel all day.

I’m famished and thirsty. I need a burger and a glass of wine.

“Over there.” Roland points as soon as we enter the restaurant. “Look over there, Linny.”

I do.

My empty stomach sinks.

Jeremy Weston, looking as hot as ever in black pants and a gray lightweight V-neck sweater, is standing in my direct line of sight. Wrapped around his forearm are a woman’s hands.

I can only see her profile, but that’s enough. Tight black dress, sky-high heels, long blonde hair and curves for days.

I look over at Roland and shrug.

Is the man a mind reader? Did he figure out that I’m stuck on West and not him?

“I’m not sure what,” I pause because the only thing I’m sure of is that I don’t want to be here.

“Look again. She’s coming this way,” Roland says, his finger waving in the air again, right toward where West and the blonde are.

I look because I have nothing to lose at this point.

“Oh my god, Linny,” Harmony screams as she races at me. “Surprise.”

I grab hold of her when she takes me in her arms, grateful for the familiar face. I scan the area behind her for West, but he’s gone.

It’s probably for the best. He was with someone else. Why did I think he would chase after me forever? I’ve spent every second we’ve been together pretending I’m not the woman he took to bed in Vegas.

I had one night with the man. That’s all I’ll ever have.

***

“It looks like you two are hitting it off.” Harmony beams with pride, her gaze volleying between Roland and me. “You were holding hands when you walked in. How adorable is that?”

I shoot her a look, but she misses it because she’s too caught up in congratulating herself for setting the two of us up.

“Linny is everything any guy could ever want.” Roland wraps his arm around my shoulder. “She’s beautiful, smart and she loves surprises.”

Harmony giggles. “Linny loves surprises? Since when?”

“Since never.” I sigh. I wish I could step out of Roland’s reach, but I don’t want to embarrass him.

He went out of his way to arrange this evening for me. I had no idea that Harmony was going to be at Nova tonight. When she texted me earlier to wish me a great second date with Roland, she didn’t give anything away.

“Do you like my new dress?” She twirls in place.

It’s pretty. Royal blue suits her. The fitted sheath dress matches the color of Rueben’s tie perfectly. They went to a lot of trouble to get ready for this, so I need to brush off what I’m feeling about seeing West with another woman and get my head back in the moment.

“It’s beautiful.” I reach for her hand. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Let’s get these ladies some wine.” Roland pats Rueben on the back. “I’m sensing they need a little private girl time.”

Rueben grunts and tosses Harmony a wink.

She leans into me, waiting until the men are out of earshot before she speaks. “Rueben is so getting lucky tonight. Is Roland?”

I narrow my eyes. “Not with me.”

She laughs with such force that for a second I think it’s fake, but it’s not. I can tell because of the snort that escapes her.

“Harmony,” I say her name, my tone firm and low. I should tell her right now that I’m not interested in Roland, but he deserves to hear that from me and not her. I need a few minutes to think without anyone around. There’s only one place in here that I’ll find that kind of solace. “I have to use the ladies’ room.”

Technically, I don’t have to use it.

I’ll go in and stand in a stall until I catch my breath and get over the initial shock of seeing West with another woman.

Why is it bothering me this much? He’s a handsome man. It only makes sense that he’d be out on a Friday night with an attractive woman.

A woman he’ll take home by the end of the night to fuck.

“I’ll be right back,” I spit out before Harmony has a chance to invite herself along.

I weave through the crowds, heading straight for the restrooms.

Once I reach the quiet corridor that leads to the ladies’ room I breathe a sigh of relief and rest my back against the exposed brick wall.

I cover my face with my hands, willing myself to forget the image of West with the blonde.

“Angel? Are you alright?”

My hands drop. I turn my head to look at him standing next to me.

He’s alone.

“West,” I whisper his name; the name I called him that night in Vegas.

He takes one step closer, his eyes darkening. A ghost of a smile touches his lips. “It’s about fucking time.”