Page 16 of Enamored
“Yeah, asshole. She was going to forgive you, and you fucked it all up. Again.”
I sit on the couch and drop my head in my shaking hands. I can’t believe I did it to us again. “I need a flight to Boston.”
He smiles. “Thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter 9
Lana
Holden pulls his truck up and loads my suitcase into the back of it. I look out past him, expecting to see Tristan, but he isn’t there.
“He’s not coming, is he?” I ask, deflated.
He shakes his head sadly. “I don’t think so.”
“I don’t know what happened. He brushed me off when I tried to talk to him yesterday morning, and last night the same thing. Did I say something?”Am I still not enough for him?I thought we were moving past that. The kiss, the desire pooling in his eyes each time we touched...
My insecurities come back full force, and I do the one thing I’ve gotten good at—tamp them down. I am a successful woman, and I won’t fawn over a man who doesn’t want me in return. I’m better than that. This whole trip was a mistake. I should have insisted Eloise send someone else or come herself.
I won’t make that mistake again. If Tristan does call back for additional work, someone else is taking the account. I really thought we were going to be able to mend things between us, especially when he clearly still wanted me—at some point anyway.
I give Holden a huge hug and promise to let him know when I arrive home safe. I manage to choke back tears until I make it to my gate, then I can’t stop them from pouring out. I’ve had a couple of people move to other seats, but I did have one nice woman hand me a wad of tissues. I thanked her and gave her the best sad smile I could muster.
I just want to go home and sleep, but my flight arrives around one in the afternoon, and I know Eloise is going to want the designs so we can begin working on them. It will only be a four-hour shift, so it won’t be that bad. Then, I can go home and curl up with a good book. I’ve tried reading a few times sitting on this plane already, but every time I start, I cry again.
Gah! Get a hold of yourself, Lana!He’s not worth it. No man is worth this many tears. I pull my laptop out and write down all the things I wanted to say to Tristan but didn’t get the chance to. I thought he’d still be in the bedroom when I got back from the bathroom, but he was gone. Then, I hoped we could talk at breakfast, but he ran away—again. It’s like getting whiplash. One minute, he’s all over me, and the next, it’s like I have the plague.
I glance at my phone for the time and decide to try to sleep a little. Maybe if I can sleep, I can forget about him. As much as I would like to, I won’t be able to. My dreams have been of Tristan for the past two nights, and I’m sure I won’t be able to get his wide chest, strong arms, or piercing blue eyes out of my mind anytime soon.
* * *
“Hey, welcome back. How was Montana?” Dustin, my best friend in the office, sits at the edge of my desk and cocks a boyish grin in my direction. He has the potential to be a looker with his sandy blond hair and hazel eyes, but nothing compares to Tristan.
I sigh. “You know damn well it was Wyoming, Dustin.” I roll my eyes but laugh anyway.
“Oh, that’s right. Another state no one ever visits. Did you get the plans approved?”
“Would you expect anything less of me?” I feign shock and place my hand on my chest.
We talk for the next few minutes about my trip and having to stay on the ranch. I try to skirt the subject of Tristan because Dustin can be a bit of a gossip, and I don’t need that getting around. Eloise knows about him. That’s enough for me.
My phone rings, and Hillary, the front receptionist’s name, flashes on the screen. I put the phone to my ear, expecting to hear that Eloise wants to see me, but she requests I meet her at the front desk.Okay, that’s weird.Dustin smirks when I shrug and hang up the phone.
When I get to Hillary’s desk, the biggest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen is sitting in front of her. This thing must have cost a fortune.
“Trying to rub in the fact that your husband loves you?” I tease.
“Oh, God. I wish. They’re for you.” She smiles and raises her eyebrow, waiting for me to respond.
I put my hand over my chest in disbelief. “Me? Now, you’re pulling my leg. There’s no one who wants to send me flowers.” I dig through the multiple colored orchids and roses until I find the small card. My cheeks light up in embarrassment as I pull the card out from the envelope and read it.
Lana,
I never meant to cause so much drama. I was stupid back then. I don’t want to lose our friendship over something that’s in the past. Please accept this as the start of an apology. I’m sorry.
XX
Russ
