Page 22 of Owen's Heart

“Yes, he tells every woman he talks to about you. Every one of them knows about Rania, the one that he really loves,” Anson explains.

“I had no idea that he still felt this way about me. I thought he didn’t care after all this time. And when he told me he slept with Chantel so soon after we broke up, it made me feel like what we shared was meaningless.” Admitting this to Anson conjures up old feelings and new ones I didn’t know I had for Owen.

“I know I’m his brother, and it’s a given that I’m on his side, but I wouldn’t lie to you about this. Owen never cheated on you with Chantel while you were together. When you two got together in college, it was his dream come true. He wanted you in high school, but he was the popular boy, and you were the girl that had so much going for her. He didn’t know how to tell you then. So, when you two hooked up in college, he was all about you. He didn’t want anything to break you two up.”

“He still let her hang off of him to the point that it was annoying. He didn’t set boundaries with Chantel, and neglecting to do that allowed all of this to happen.”

“I know, and he has regretted it every day since his graduation day,” Anson states.

Owen didn’t cheat, and he hasn’t loved anyone since we broke up. I take a moment to let those revelations sink in. I give myself a chance to think that maybe, just maybe, I have been wrong about him.

“I will talk to him again,” I decide.

“I think that would be good. I can tell from the look in your eyes that you miss him too. You two need each other.”

It takes everything in me not to admit that Anson is right. “I have to get back to work,” is what I say instead.

Just as I slide out of the booth, the door chimes. A medium-sized blond woman walks into the café and glances around the room as if she’s looking for someone but is not sure they’re here. Spotting Anson, she walks over to the table where he is sitting.

Standing beside the table, I hear the woman, who I now clearly see is Chantel, ask, “Where’s Owen? I stopped by the ranch and saw a Jeep with OWEN on the tag, but no one came to the door. He’s dodging me.”

Anson smirks. “Maybe he doesn’t want to talk to you.”

Chantel laughs Anson’s remark off. “Boy, you must be blind. Look at me. Of course, he wants to see me.” She takes a spin, showing off her toned legs, thick hips, and flat stomach. “Besides, I drove all the way down here to visit some old friends and want to see him before I head back home.” Chantel winks at Anson. “I’m sure he wants the same.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Anson says in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

“Talk to you later, Anson,” I speak up and get ready to excuse myself.

Chantel glances at me, studying me as if I am an exam she’s trying to pass. “Rania?”

“Yeah?”

“Oh, my gosh. I didn’t know that was you!” Her feigned excitement is so blatantly clear to anyone with eyes. “ When did you come back to Prattville?” she asks.

“Why do you care about when I come to my hometown?” I spit out, unwilling to pretend that I’m happy to see her. “A better question is, what are you doing here?”

She smirks. “Oh, I came to see Owen. Isn't that obvious?”

“Setting your same old thirst traps, I see,” I mumble while checking out her skimpy outfit. “Good luck with getting with Owen again. You’re going to need it,” I quip.

Chantel chides, “Girl, you wish!”

I chuckle heartily. “Seems like the only girl still starved for attention after all these years is you, and if you ask me, it’s pretty pathetic!”

“No one asked you,” Chantel shoots back.

Seeing that this back and forth will lead nowhere fast, Anson stands and takes Chantel by the hand. “Let’s go, Chantel,” he barks and guides the woman who’s still sniffing around for Owen out of the café.

I hope this is the last time I see her.

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