Page 52 of Everything I Need

One word. I was hoping for more. I don’t know if I’m angry or hurt by this laconic reply. Things have been going so well. I could have sworn we were communicating more about our feelings, although physically and not exactly verbally. Should I have been braver and told him how I felt when I realized it?

Probably.

Given my history I could see how he would believe that. I had been trying so hard to be more open with him though and I just wanted everything over with Niles so that we could be happy and celebrate my win withmyclients. He should know that I would never make a decision like that before talking to him.

Another hour without more of a response. I am too old for this nonsense. He can have tonight, but I will be at his office first thing tomorrow morning. He can either talk to me or not.

By the time I wake up, not that I slept much, I still have no more than that one-word response from Preston. I get up and rush to get ready. I am stopping at the diner to get coffee, then going straight to the office. Coffee is necessary today after a night of tossing and turning.

I arrive at Preston's office before him.

Good.

Now I have the upper hand. I can get settled and not have to worry how he will react.

I open the doors to the practice, and I set up at my desk, getting my laptop out to finalize his website, and create the online scheduling page.

By 9:15 my coffee is gone, and my anxiety is running away with itself. Just as I was about to start packing up and taking my anxiety home, Preston’s truck pulls up in front of the door.

My heart is racing.

As mad and hurt as I am, seeing him get out of the truck makes my heart race for another reason. He is hands down the most attractive man I have ever seen. It doesn’t hurt that I know exactly what he can do with that body.

“Scarlett.” He nods at me and keeps walking.

My jaw must hit the floor when he shuts his office door. He can’t be serious.

That’s it. He doesn’t get to do this!

I march back to his office, throwing the door open. He looks up at me and the pain I see in his eyes rivals mine. So do the dark circles under his eyes. His rough appearance almost makes my anger simmer down.

Almost.

“Do you seriously believe my ex-boss over me? The same one who you heard speak at the charity dinner and wanted to punch? Have we not proven ourselves to each other? You know I really thought we had something special here, building up to something I’ve never had with anyone else.”

“Scarlett, you tell me you have a meeting with your boss, I don’t hear from you since the minute you arrive in Boston, and then I am told that you are moving back to Boston. What am I supposed to think?” He asks accusingly.

“I mean, maybe call me, or come over to see me and talk to me like an actual adult in an adult relationship? Didn’t we just learn this lesson? That we need to have the hard conversations instead of running away?” I put my hand on hip.

“Oh, really? Because pushing me away while you went to have this mysterious meeting in Boston was an adult move?” He counters.

“Preston, what is this really about?” There has to be more.

“What is it really about? It is about you, running away instead of talking to me for a third time, Scarlett.” He looks back to his computer, and begins typing.

“I have given you more than any other man in my life has ever gotten. I have proven my feelings for you in so many ways. To have you doubt me hurts more than you can even imagine.” I yell.

I wait for a response from him. But he just sits there working on his computer.

“Are we going to talk? Do you want to hear my side of the story yet?” I ask.

He looks at me clearly angry, “I’m not ready, Scarlett. I’m thinking about how much trust we actually have here for you to blindside me, for me to question you. Why couldn’t you just tell me before you left what was going on? What’s with all the secrecy? It’s not like I didn’t ask.”

“I wanted to have everything settled before I came home and told you about my new plan, a plan to have my own business, and to maybe … maybe tell you …” I crossed my arms over my chest, staring at him.I wanted to finally tell you that I loved you and you ruined it, asshole,I think to myself.

After a few more moments of him not talking, I start walking to my desk to pack up my stuff. He still doesn’t come after me, so I leave.

I am backing out of my spot when I see him in the doorway. Luckily for me, his first patient was walking in at the same time he is trying to come out to get me. I drive as fast as I can to get home. I need Mom. She will know what to do, or at least make me some cookie dough.

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