Page 126 of The One I Love
She slightly shrugs her shoulders. “I didn’t hear you.”
“Bullshit.” She looked up then back down as she shrugged. That’s her tell when she’s lying. It’s subtle. Few ever caught on to it. I was one who could. Good to know that’s one more thing that’s stayed the same. “What are you doing here?”
“Working.”
One word answers. Great. “Can we talk?”
She shakes her head. “I’m working.”
“We already ate dinner. I know the bride and groom so if you’re worried about not getting paid, I’ll take care of it. I thinkyou can sneak away for five minutes. Please. It’s been fifteen years and well, I think a talk is the least we can have.”
I know I’m begging now, but I don’t care. This woman owes me an explanation and I’m not about to have her walk out of my life again without getting one.
She looks back to the kitchen then back to me. And for just a second, her hard demeanor is gone. Her sarcastic shield has been lowered. I only saw this side of Charlie a few times during our years together.
Including the night I thought everything was going to change.
“I’m sorry Simon. I can’t.”
She turns to walk away and out of reaction, I grab her arm and stop her. She looks down at our connection, then back up to me.
“Bug…” My voice is pleading.
“Please Simon. Just let me go.”
She turns and walks back into the kitchen. And for the second time in my life, Charlie has walked away from me without an explanation.
Except I’m not that dumb kid anymore. I have means. I have resources. I have a thorn in my side that’s fifteen years old.
Because this time she isn’t walking away from me. And I am going to get in the last word.
