Page 101 of Break My Heart
‘Your dad? What are you talking about?’
‘Forget it. Just say what you need to say.’
‘I just wanted to wish you luck tomorrow. I know we both want to win, but if it’s you instead of me, I’ll be happy for you.’
‘Great. Thanks,’ I say, keeping my eyes on the bar and not her. But I can smell her perfume and it’s bringing back memories of having her in my arms, and in my bed. Forcing those thoughts from my head, I reach in my pocket and take out the money my dad left, setting it on the counter. ‘This is for the beer. My dad insisted he buy you one if you came in. He was just here so .?.?. there you go.’
‘Tell him thanks.’
I nod, but don’t say anything.
‘So how was the rest of the festival?’
‘Good. Nick proposed to Lyndsay.’
‘Yeah, Lyndsay told me.’
‘You talked to Lyndsay?’
‘She stopped by G’s last week to say hi. She showed me the ring. It’s beautiful.’
‘Sawyer, I’m back,’ Wade yells from the other end of the bar.
‘I need to go get some work done,’ I say to Gina.
‘Sawyer, I really need to talk to you,’ she says, sounding desperate. ‘Just give me two minutes and then I’ll leave.’
‘Go ahead. What do you want to say?’
‘I don’t want to talk here. Can we go in the back?’
I hesitate, concerned that if we’re alone together in the back room I might do something stupid like kiss her. I’d like to think I have more self-control than that, so I agree to it.
‘Let’s go,’ I tell her, not waiting for her as I go to the back. I stop just past the door. I’m not taking her in my office. It’s too private. Something might happen. I turn to her and check my watch. ‘Two minutes. Starting now.’
She looks annoyed that I took her time limit seriously. ‘Okay, well, as you probably know, G’s still isn’t getting customers. I’ve been running specials, doing contests, giveaways, put ads in the paper, and nothing is working.’
‘So try something else.’
‘I’m out of ideas.’ She pauses. ‘I think I might leave.’
‘Leave Haydon Falls?’
She nods. ‘I told myself I’d never quit, but every day I’m losing money. I’m not going to be able to pay the bills to keep the place running. I had to cut Lexi’s hours and Aria offered to work for free until I can pay her. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.’
I feel bad for her, but I feel even worse that she’s leaving. I’m still angry at her, but I don’t want her to go.
‘What would you do with G’s?’
‘I’d try to sell it. If I can’t sell it as is, I’ll sell the equipment and hope I can get a buyer for the building. Anyway, I just thought you’d want to know. I didn’t want to leave town and not say goodbye.’ She looks down. ‘I’m really going to miss you, Sawyer. I really wanted us to work. I know you don’t believe me, but there was nothing going on with Ryder. Both times he was here, he didn’t tell me he was coming. He just showed up. I know I should’ve told you he was here, but I didn’t because I was worried you’d think I’m still with him.’ She looks up at me. ‘But I promise you, there is nothing going on with Ryder and me. It was you I wanted to be with. I really wanted us to last.’ She wipes her eyes and forces out a smile. ‘But all good things come to an end, right?’ She takes a breath. ‘I’ve loved being with you, Sawyer. And I love your family. I never really had a family, but I felt like I was part of one when I was with yours.’ She wipes her eyes again and stands up straighter. ‘I know my time is up. I just wanted to say all that before I go. Goodbye, Sawyer.’
She leaves, and I let her. I could run after her, beg her to stay,but if her business is failing, she has no reason to stick around. I’d be the only reason she might, but that would only happen if we were together. And how can we be together if I don’t trust her?
Going back out to the bar, Wade comes up to me. ‘Why was Gina here?’
‘To tell me she might be leaving.’
‘Leaving? Meaning she’s closing down?’
