Page 27 of Yours, Truly

Fuck! No. This was the mind games. Zak was good, promising. He could give me the life I wanted, the stability I needed. I wasn’t going to let memories of Nate screw it up. So, I swallowed it down as far as I could and made sure Zak was my focus. I needed to make this work. So, what if there was no spark right now? Maybe no spark was safer. Maybe that’s why Nate and I had gone wrong, so much energy that it destroyed us.Focus on Zak.

My phone rang a couple times, Nate’s name appearing on the screen. I hid it quickly not wanting Zak to catch another man’s name on my phone. I sent the call to voicemail. He’d had time to reach out to me ,so why the hell was he calling now? He wasn’t going to ruin a good date. My earlier conversation with Ivy made me think that maybe he was drunk, screaming for attention or high as fuck, under someone else. I wasn’t going to risk caving in. If Nate was hurting, I wouldn’t put it past him to pull me under, hurt me too. He called again, and another two times. Frustrated, I ignored each call and placed my phone on silent, trying to focus on Zak as much as I could, but he could tell something was going on. And then a message on my screen.

I think Zak saw it, as he looked away for a moment. I quickly reached across the table to grab Zak’s hand in mine and he smiled, taking it. I wasn’t going to let Nate ruin this.

I was done fighting for something that wasn’t there, he’d had his chance and he threw it away. I knew what I wanted out of life and Zak clearly wanted the same thing. I needed to work on this just a little to be able to move on, see where it goes.

“I’m so sorry about the distraction.” I smiled softly as he brushed his fingers over my knuckles, my handstill in his.

“That’s okay,” He was understanding. “If you need to take it, please go ahead.”

“I’m really enjoying our date Zak,” I complimented, grinning at him.

“Same, and I hope we can have another one soon,” he stated and I smiled nodding. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

“Who said this one was over?” I teased, lacing my fingers in his.

“The person blowing up your phone. It must be important,” he chuckled, his free hand running over his jaw.

“How about I tell them to fuck off, turn my phone off and we can continue this date. Get some dessert and maybe we can plan date number two?” I chuckle, looking into his eyes. A small twinkle in his as he nodded.

“Okay, only if it's chocolate lava cake,” he said and I nodded like he’d read my mind. I stood up with my phone, ready to confront Nate.

“If you need a restraining order, let me know,” he teased.

“Deal. Can I have another one of those cocktail things please? I’ll be back in a second.” I left my stuff with Zak so he knew I would return.

I stepped outside the restaurant and dialled Nate back. He needed to stop and I needed to put him in his place, put some boundaries down.

“What the fuck Nate?” I growled as soon as he answered the phone, a small chuckle coming through from his end. It sent a shiver down my spine at the same time a cold breeze consumed my body. Leaving the restaurant without a jacket wasstupid as it was 5° and I was freezing, despite my rage.

“Who is he?” he asked, amused.

“Who?” I replied, wondering what he was going on about. I hadn’t spoken to him since our call on Boxing Day at my parents house, weeks ago now.

“Don't lie to me, sweetheart. Your date.” It rolled off his tongue like it was poison. I froze in place. How did he possibly know about the date unless…No…

I spun around to look inside the restaurant, searching frantically, until my eyes landed on the cocky bastard raising his whiskey glass at me.

“Now, get rid of him or I will,” he smirked. A chill ran down my spine at his warning, I wasn’t sure how far he was willing to go.

“Don’t you dare!” I scolded him, not taking my eyes off him through the window.

“Gi, I swear, if he puts one finger on you again, I will fucking break them in front of everyone,” he growled. I could feel the anger radiating through the phone call. He swigged his whiskey, not removing his gaze from me. I wasn’t scared of Nate; he could push me all he wanted.

“Fuck you!” I spat at him. My blood was boiling. Hewasgoing to ruin this date.

“What did I say about that attitude of yours, sweetheart?” He chuckled a little as he threatened me.

“Is this a game to you?” I asked, even more annoyed; Nate had now gotten underneath my skin. “Wait. Have you been following me?” I asked, a little more alarmed.

I knew he was hurting, but stalking me was so unlike him. Was he on something to go to this extreme? Nate had money and my bet was he could put that to use and become dangerous if you got on his bad side. Was he just drunk and this was all a big coincidence?

Hundreds more questions ran through my mind, more than I wanted to ask and sure as hell didn’t want the answers to. I wanted to move on, I wasn’t playing this game anymore.

“Something like that,” he admitted blushing a little. I couldn’t figure him out and it frustrated me. I had no words, maybe the restraining order Zak had mentioned might actually be a consideration if Nate was going to stalk me and upturn my life.

“You look so fucking sexy in that outfit,” he pulled me from my thoughts as I watched him check me out. His voice in that low husky tone. “Kind of reminds me of the first time I saw you.” He licked his lips. I fucking said this outfit was cursed, it was exactly the same as the night in Barcelona, it caused goosebumps all over my skin.

---