Page 44 of The Art of Falling in Love with Your Enemy
“Because you were also leaving me.”
I’d been leaning against the porch rail, but now I stand up straight. “But we’re not together anymore, Steve. It shouldn’t matter.”
“But it did. It does. To me.” He stands up, pacing the porch. “I had nothing before we met, and you had your winery. You were so happy with it; it was your dream and your passion. Man, I was thrilled when I got to be a part of the business with you. However, it was clear the whole time I was there that it was yours. All yours. The employees only really wanted to listen to you. You knew the wines, you had the relationships with your vendors…”
“You could have that as well, and you should since you bought me out.” I wag a finger at him. “Which you still owe me the payment for, lest I remind you that it’s being held hostage for some strange reason?”
“Don’t you see, I wanted something ofmyown.”
“I get that, but did you think the best way to find your own dream was to try to stop me from seeing mine through?” I reach out and grab Steve’s shoulders, stopping him in front of me so I can look into his eyes. I need him to see my sincerity and the hurt. “You’re hurting me. I don’t have any way to open my business here yet. You’ve sued me, so I had to retain a lawyer with money I don’t have.”
But there’s a darkness in his eyes milling about. I drop my hands and step away, leaning against the railing again as he pulls his car keys out of his pocket and jogs to the car. Steve opens the door and reaches in, grabbing a folder, then he runs back up to the porch with it.
“Here.” He shoves the folder in my hands.
I hold it up without looking inside. “What is it?”
“Well,” he says with a sigh, “it’s a document for you to sign. A non-compete clause.”
“What?” Now this man has officially gone crazy. I open the folder to make sure he’s not joking, and surprise of all surprises, right there in black and white is a piece of paper labeled with the words “non-compete” at the top.
“You’re joking.” I slam the folder closed and then slam it against his chest. “You’re in D.C. and I’m in North Carolina. There’s no competition.”
“But there could be.” Placing the folder on the seat cushion, Steve shoves his hands in his front pockets and won’t look at me. “Someone offered me the opportunity to franchise the idea, make the urban winery into a chain.”
As the dots start to connect, I feel my blood pressure rise. “You wanted to have the rights to the restaurant so you could sell it and make money off a franchise, is that right?”
As he tries to explain, I laugh a little demented giggle and point to his car. “You should go. Now.”
“Etta, I need you to listen to me first…”
I shake my head and wag a finger in the air as I step back inside my front doorway. “We’re done.”
And I close the door.
* * *
Lying in bed, I grab the remote and look for a television station I can stomach. When I can’t find anything, I’m happy to turn it off and stare at the ceiling. I’ve got two dogs in bed with me who need my attention and pets, anyway.
Steve’s visit had been an unwelcome blip in my day. I never got a chance to finish the garden, but I did come inside and make a start getting one of the guest bedrooms ready for painting, which was next on my list. A never-ending list to keep me busy until…
Until what? Until Steve finally releases my funds? Until I’m able to use that money to open my wine shop?
I’m good at going down a rabbit hole, but thankfully my phone dings signaling a text and it brings me out of my spiral. Zac’s text asking me to meet for a coffee tomorrow morning is a welcome reprieve for me.
My new faux boyfriend. The man who put me in jail. The olive oil to my water…they say opposites attract, but I never believed them. Whoever “they” are.
Look at me now, wishing I could say yes to coffee—with the man I swore I’d never share my air with—but having to text a “no, thank you, wish I could” because I already have plans. Staring at my phone won’t make me say yes, and it sure won’t change my plans, but I can see the little bubble appear telling me he’s replying, so I wait.
For the second time today, I catch myself.I’mwaiting for him to reply? Shaking my head, I can only grin stupidly. A big, stupid, silly one, the kind I’ve not enjoyed since…huh. Since I don’t know when. I mean, I’ve smiled since I moved here and had some laughs, but not like this.
This smile is my secret smile, and it’s all for me. This smile is one that’s excited, because it knows there are more smiles like this one on the horizon. The kind of smile that makes my cheeks hurt and my insides feel giddy and happy and gooey, like they’re made up of hot caramel.
It’s a smile that’s stuck to my face because of one person in particular.
This one’s for Zac.
NINETEEN
