Page 41 of Shy Girl
“I suppose I want closure, that’s all. What we had was special. Yes, it was fast but . . .” Her expression softened. “It was also magical. Do you deny that?”
“Whatwas magical?”
She straightened, her eyes bright. “The chemistry between you and me. We’re cut from the same cloth, Jayson. We excel in whatever we do. We care about others. We aren’t afraid to go against culture. I sensed that in you right away.” Her hand rose to press against her heart. “Here. Evenyousaid that. When we met, it was like we were meant to be.”
Warning bells clanged in my head. Victoria had done this before—assigned words that had definitely never crossed my lips. Put too much meaning to normal things, making it impossible for me to escape.
Also,shehad said we were never meant to be.
“I said what?”
“That you felt something magical for me.”
I scoffed. “Sorry, I don’t use that word.”
She shrugged. “Special, then. The sentiment is the same.”
“Is it?”
Her expression hardened. “You’re going to deny it?”
“I felt you were attractive and interesting, and I was all in from the beginning. You are the one that backed away.” I shrugged. “You chose, Vic.”
She huffed and folded her long arms across her chest. “Thatis a lie. You were mad about me, Jayson, and I was mad about you. I don’t need to make that up.”
“It's true.”
Her head jerked up to mine.
“But you also let me go,” I continued. “And now it's too late.”
She frowned. Her lips pressed back together for a moment before she shook her head. The rising tension in her cooled a bit.
“Well,” she murmured, “maybe I realized my mistake.”
“If that's the case, I'm sad for you. I have Dagny now and she's the real deal.”
The words came out of my mouth before I knew they existed. Hearing them startled me for only a second, because they were right. Dagnywasthe real deal. Dagny was in my court now. In fact, she'd edged Victoria so far out I couldn't even see Victoria anymore. Looking at her pouty lips now, I wondered how I ever did see anything in her.
This woman would never stand before myabuela.
“What are you doing with that woman, Jayson? It can’t be real.” She waved an airy hand toward the yoga class. “D-d-dagny.”
At first, I was too incredulous to speak, but the words came out with astonishment after several long moments.
“Did you just make fun of her speech impediment?”
Heat welled up in my chest, but I forced it back. Victoria hesitated, and the flicker of uncertainty told me she realized her mistake with such an immature tactic. But did I see a true apology? No. Not a hint of actual regret.
“I’m sorry.” She turned away, her voice a stone. “That was wrong and petty and low, you’re right. Dagny seemed . . . fine. I’m just . . . I’m jealous of her. She has what I’ve wanted for months now.” She glanced up. “I’ve missed you, Jayson.”
When she said nothing further, I leaned back in the chair. It had been Vikram’s advice not to ever be in a room alone with Victoria—based on all his experience with women—and now I understood why. She was trying every tactic available, and I’d almost fallen for it. Because for a moment, I almost reached out to touch her shoulder and comfort her. Some valiant part of my inner idiot couldn’t help himself. Victoria looked small and frustrated and I never wanted that for her.
But I kept my hands to myself because I didn't want Victoria anymore.
“I’m sorry that you feel this way, Victoria, but there's no going back. There’s nothing that will happen between us, and I hope you can accept that and move on. You deserve someone that will make you happy.”
For a full fifteen seconds, she didn’t say a word. Her jaw tightened several times, as if she were about to speak, but she stopped herself. Finally, her throat bobbed a little as she swallowed, then nodded.
