“Then say you’ll be my girlfriend.”His gaze swept over her, his eyes filled with want.“I know you went through a bad breakup.I’ll make you forget all about him.”
She didn’t want to forget a single thing about Nick.She loved him.
And being here with Mark, who she thought was nice, but just not Nick, wasn’t right.
“I’m sorry, Mark, but I need to go.”
He grabbed her hand and tugged, making her lean over toward him.“We still have some time before I have to be back at the office.”
“I’m sorry.I don’t think we’re going to work out.”
He raised a brow.“You’re joking.”
She shook her head.“I enjoyed our time together.It’s just that—”
“You’re hung up on your ex.”Resignation filled his words and eyes.
She shrugged, admitting the truth.“Yes, I am.And it’s not fair of me to use you to get over him.”Because she’d never be over him.
But can we be together?
She’d never know if she didn’t try.
“Thank you for a lovely lunch.I really appreciate it, and I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”Not really, because she had someone who truly fit her.
Mark’s genuinely confused face made her feel bad, but she knew this was best for both of them.
She walked to her car, feeling hopeful.She pulled out her phone and called Nick.
“Hey, I only have a minute.”His deep voice made her belly tight and her blood heat.
“I got your message.I’m really excited that you’ll be moving here.”
“Me, too, sweetheart.Are you okay?You sound off.”
“I’m sorry I broke up with you the way I did without first telling you that I was unhappy, so that we could discuss it and figure something out.”
“Uh.This is a longer conversation than I can have right now.And I’m sorry about that.Can I call you later?”
“Anytime.And you don’t have to really say anything.I just thought you deserved to know that I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry.I was taking us for granted.I’d given you no reason to think anything was going to change between us.And I have a lot more to say, but I really have to go and I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.We’ll talk later.”
“Aria?”
“Yeah?”
“I really want to say that thing.”
“I can’t wait to hear it when I see you next.”She hung up so he could do whatever he had to do, knowing she’d hear from him soon and that they were definitely going to figure out a way to be together again.
Chapter twelve
“Morning,beautiful.Imissyou.”Nick’s warm, rough voice woke Aria up in more ways than one.
Aria had worked late last night after she’d called him following her date with Mark.It was just past noon on Saturday and, like every day since she’d started accepting his calls again, his voice was the first thing she heard that day.“I miss you, too.What are you doing today?”