Page 109 of All In
The way Sam glared at Geoffrey and clenched his fists at the restaurant left no doubt in my mind that he was burning with jealousy. If I’m being completely honest, seeing that reaction brought me satisfaction. Geoffrey saw it also because as soon as we walked away from his and Cara’s table, he began bombarding me with questions.
“Did you know they were going to be here tonight? Is that why you recommended this place?” he asked as he led me away from their table. His question hung in the air, heavy with accusation. From the start, I was honest with Geoffrey about Sam. About my feelings, but not the full story.
I peered at him, a mixture of surprise and indignation crossing my face. “What! Why would I do that?”
“To make him jealous.” As he led us to his car parked on the street, he didn’t bother to glance in my direction. His strides were long, laced with anger, as I had a hard time keeping pace in my heels.
“I haven’t spoken to him in three years,” I said through gritted teeth. “And besides, who’s acting jealous now?”
He was practically running, as if he couldn’t get away from me fast enough. “Would you slow down!” I yelled.
He shot me a cold, disdainful glare as we reached his car, ignoring my pleas. “Of course, I’m jealous, Maria! You’ve told me all about him and what you guys meant to each other. How could I not be?”
He paused before opening the car door, glancing out into the night air, pondering his next words. He turned as his eyes met mine, and his lips tightened. “I want to be that person for you. I want to be the love of your life.” The car door swung open, and I hesitated before I slid into the seat, letting his revelation wash over me. With his typical swagger and ease, he rounded the front of the car when the guilt hit me.
Geoffrey is a prize. A good, decent, and kind man who deserves to be the love of someone’s life. He should have someone who adores him and makes him the center of their universe.
And that person isn’t me.
From that point on, the situation went downhill fast, beginning with the car not starting. It refused to turn over no matter how many times Geoffrey tried, forcing us to call AAA in frustration and defeat. As we waited, he grew more curious, craving more details about Sam and me.
“You never told me that you guys worked so close. What happened? Why did you transfer?” he inquired.
I fiddled with the fabric of my dress, feeling bad that I never told him that part of the story. “I’m sorry, I should have. We were texting and spending time together. I thought maybe things were going to restart with us, but then he told me that he was going to see Cara exclusively. I walked away after that because I realized he wasn’t ready to forgive me for the past.”
“Well, that man in there”—he jammed his finger toward the restaurant—“hasn’t moved on, that’s for sure. And I won’t compete for your attention, Maria. I won’t. The question is, have you?”
“Have I what?” I knew what he was asking, but I inquired anyway.
“Moved on. From Sam.”
The answer was easy. I haven’t. I never will.
But I didn’t say it.
With that loaded question hanging in the air, we sat in awkward silence as we watched the tow truck pull up, and before we knew it, the car was jacked up, my Uber was on its way, and we were ready to part ways.
He came up next to me and kissed me on the cheek, his hand resting softly on my arm. “I’ll see you at my place.” His lips felt warm on my skin as he pulled away and our eyes met, his forehead forming a wrinkle that wasn't there before. “Let me know what you decide.”
He didn’t have to tell me what he meant because I knew.
As I stood there, waiting for the Uber, my thoughts continued to waver. Geoffrey is a good guy. I should choose him. He told me he loves me, and he’s been patient with me, understanding that I need time to process my own feelings and find the right moment to say “I love you” back. I feel … something for him. It’s close to love but not quite. And honestly, no love will be like Sam’s. The comparison will always exist no matter who I’m with.
And what would the old Maria had done? Well, more than likely, she wouldn’t have put herself first. She would have stayed with Geoffrey out of fear of hurting his feelings. But that isn’t me now. There is no way I am pushing Sam out of my life again because of a lack of self-esteem.
The new Maria is saying yes to her happiness.
While I waited on the steps and contemplated everything, my attention was drawn to Cara sprinting out of the restaurant and jumping into a car that was ready and waiting. Not with Sam. Strange, to say the least. And then, moments later, Sam was at my side. Telling me he was newly single and—in so many words—that he forgives me. And that he’s all in.
I mean, come on. What am I supposed to do with that information?
On top of it all, he grazed his thumb on my lower back, lightly rubbing in small circles. The way he always used to. I was a goner at that point.
Now, I’m sitting in this stuffy Uber that reeks of stale pizza, trying to decide on what to say to Geoffrey.
And Amanda because she is going to be maaaaaad.
No one is team Geoff/Maria (or Geria, our ship name, according to Richelle) more than Amanda. She set us up and says we are endgame. And we could have been.
