Page 22 of Hidden Memories

Santi clears his throat. “I saidacquaintance.”

“You said you wanted me to give her a job.” It’s both a statement and a question.

“I did.”

Julia has that exhausted lilt moms get when they’re toobusy for the drama. “What’s the problem, Santiago? I have trucks coming in a few minutes, so we need to blow through this temper tantrum of yours and cut to the point.”

“I’m not…” He stops himself.

I wonder if he took off his cowboy hat to run his fingers through his hair like he used to when he was frustrated.He’s definitely frustrated.

But with me? For what possible reason could he be angry with me?He’sthe one who didn’t show up when I needed him most. I had my goddamn bag packed ready to abandon my life and assume a new identity. With him. For him.

If anyone should be frustrated, it’s me.

And I am.

I narrow my eyes, concentrating on their words.

Julia is softer now. “It’s hard to meet women when you live in a small town…” She corrects herself: “… women who areyourage…”

I roll my eyes.Ugh.

“… And marriage material.”

“Jules…” He sighs roughly. Pauses again. “I know since I got that application going you’ve all ramped up the matchmaking efforts, but I don’t want you trying to set me up. That’s all. It isn’t happening. I just want to make myself clear.”

Application?

“You got it. She’s awfully pretty, though…”

“No,” he adds curtly.

Suddenly Julia appears in the doorway, and I crouch quickly as if I’d been petting his dog for a while. Keeper crawls off Theo’s lap and tries making friends again with Santi’s dog who, now done with her treat, is up for a play.

Santi stands behind Julia, tall and looking less like an exand more like an enemy at this point. What the hell version of our past didhelive? He has no reason to be that damn peeved at hanging out with me today.

Maybe he is just annoyed Julia is trying to set him up. Maybe I imagined that blinding lightning strike when our eyes met.

Just then, two delivery trucks pull up, and we hurry around to the sprawling back parking lot where we spend the next half an hour. Santi is clearly still a gentleman, because despite having to be around me, he has stayed to unload the trucks just because Julia asked.

I’m going to get some serious workouts and tough biceps working around here. Annoying, Santi’s tattooed arms have been getting this workout for years because they are steely, moving the bales around like they’re feather pillows.

When we’re done, Santi wipes his hands on his jeans and whistles for his dog. “Mila. Come.”

The dogs have been chasing each other around and up and down pyramids of hay and plastic-wrapped wood shavings.

“See you Wednesday, Jules.” He starts off. He’s not going to say goodbye to me. But then he thinks better of it and spins. “Theo. Good luck with your new job.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Santi.”

Then, his fine ass strolls off across the parking lot toward the one in front of the store where we’re both parked.Rude.

I’m aghast. Floored and angry. But I’m also determined not to be a doormat in this new life of mine. I will not be treated as though I’ve offended him in some way. Like I’m not worthy of a goodbye? I get that maybe Santi wants to leave the past behind us, that he might not want Julia to know we used to be a thing. Hell, I’m not going to be thecougar amongst the young girls Julia referred to earlier, but if anyone should be mad here, it’s me.

I was the one left on the side of the road with my suitcases packed. I was the one who dragged my ass home, unrequited, too embarrassed to tell anyone I was stood up, let down… humiliated. And worse than all of that, I gave up hope for good and crawled back to the life I never wanted.

As my thoughts spiral back to the past, he makes his way deeper to the other side of the parking lot, and I decide he’s going to face me. I have decency and manners. I won’t let him or any other man treat me like an afterthought.

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