Page 147 of The One I Hate
We all stare at Oliver for that last one. “Really? That’s where your mind went?”
He shrugs. “Old habits.”
“I know I need to talk to her,” I say. “The problem is that she won’t talk to me. So I have to do something big to even get that going.”
“How do you know?” Shane asks.
“I’ve called and texted with no response. It was a familiar feeling. I tried to go to the restaurant each morning, but I’m told she isn’t there or just flat-out ignored.”
“Okay,” Oliver says. “While these ideas are great, they really are, I think you might be going a little too grand.”
“Is there such a thing?”
“Simon,” Wes says, gesturing for me to sit next to him. “You’re new to this. You’ve never been in a relationship, let alone asked a woman to forgive you.”
I start to say something before Shane stops me. “And no. Asking for forgiveness after you called a woman the wrong name doesn’t count.”
Damn.
“What Wes is trying to say,” Oliver says, “is this isn’t something you can buy your way out of. Or do something flashythat will distract her from the problem. That’s what got you in this mess in the first place.”
“Damn…” I say out loud as that nugget of truth sinks in. “You’re right.”
“So, knowing that, what can you do that shows her that not only are you sorry, but that you truly understand why she’s upset?”
I quickly open my mouth but Oliver shakes his head. “No. Think about it. Really think about it.”
I follow his directions. He’s right. I need to focus on the problem. The real problem.
“Money and the diner,” I say confidently. “If I were to pinpoint the biggest issues, it’s those.”
“What about them?” Wes asks.
“Charlie hates feeling like she’s been given a handout. Hell, even the things she knew I did for her she wasn’t thrilled with.”
“He’s right,” Emmett said. “I came in and helped her with a leaky sink, and she felt bad. It was literally just tightening the pipe.”
“Exactly,” I say. “Money has always been a weird thing between us. I never cared how much she did or didn’t have, but I know when we first met I was the rich frat boy and she was the college kid who had to work full time just to make it. And I think she still feels like that. Scratch that, I know she does.”
“Does she know how hard you work?” Shane asks. “I hate to give you a compliment, but you fucking bust your ass when it comes to your job.”
“Thanks,” I say, taking in the rare compliment from Shane without a quick retort. “I didn’t talk much about work with her or what I did. I didn’t want it to slip about the diner.”
“Well, she needs to know,” Emmett says. “Hell, you closed on a two-million-dollar sale last week. You’re damn good at whatyou do, and I’m proud to work for you. Well, except the lying shit. I’ll never do that again.”
“And I’ll never ask you to.” It’s right then, an idea comes to me. “But I do know what you can do.”
“What’s that?”
“Go to the office, get me the lease to the diner.”
“Okay, what for?”
“Just go. But then come back. You can join us then.”
I turn to my friends with a smile on my face. They aren’t smiling. They look terrified. “Join us doing what?” Shane asks.
“We’re putting together a nursery.”
