Page 26 of Heart of Stone
“I feel awful.”
Shaking my head as I kept the phone pressed to my ear, I insisted, “It’s really okay. I’m just going to grab the food and head back. I don’t want you to think twice about it. We’ll talk later.”
“Thanks for being so understanding, Natalia. You’re the best.”
I smiled. “I know. Call me if you need anything. Or, depending on how it goes with you two, we can just talk at work tomorrow.”
“That’s perfect.”
Relieved that she wasn’t putting any added pressure on herself by worrying about me, I said, “Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
Danielle and I said goodbye and disconnected our call. I’d been looking forward to having some time to sit down and talk with her outside of work this morning, so a small wave of disappointment washed over me. But I didn’t allow that to linger too long. She needed to take this time to work things out with Stephen. I wasn’t going anywhere, and I didn’t doubt she’d have plenty to talk about the next time we saw one another.
At that moment, my server walked up to the table in front of mine to deliver their meals. I caught her attention with a lift ofmy hand. “Excuse me, but I’ve had a bit of a change in plans. Is there any way I can get those meals to go? I’ve been stood up.”
Horror washed over her expression. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Of course, you can. I’ll get everything wrapped up for you.”
“Thanks. And the check when you have a moment.”
She turned to walk off, and I dumped my phone back into my purse.
“Natalia?”
At the sound of the familiar masculine voice, my muscles went taut. I twisted my neck to look behind me and was surprised to learn I’d guessed correctly at whose voice I heard. “Reid?”
He offered a sympathetic look. “Did I hear that correctly? You were stood up?”
I waved my hand in the air dismissively. “Oh, it’s just Danielle. She was supposed to meet me this morning, but she had to cancel at the last minute.”
Understanding washed over him. “I see. Sorry to hear that.”
I shrugged. “Thanks. I’m alright.” Reid kept his eyes on me, and a thought hit me. “Are you here alone?”
“I am.”
Tipping my head to the side, I swept my hand out to indicate the seat across from me. “Would you like to join me this morning? I was going to leave, but I’d be just as happy to stay and enjoy some company and conversation as well.”
Something I couldn’t read leaked into his features. I’d grown accustomed to the broody, grumpy expression he often wore. This was not that. But whatever it was, Reid had paired it with his signature silence.
Long moments of awkward silence passed before he finally shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I shouldn’t. I need to get back.”
Disappointment moved through me. “I understand. It was worth a shot.”
“Reid!”
At the sound of his name being called from behind the counter, relief swept through him. “That’s me.”
I waved him off. “Of course.”
The second he turned and walked in the opposite direction to get his order, my server returned with the food I’d ordered as well as the check. I paid the bill, gathered up my things, and turned toward the exit to find Reid waiting there. He jerked his head toward the door, so I scurried over as he opened it to allow me to step outside ahead of him.
“Thanks for holding the door for me.”
“No worries. I figured I’d see you to your car.”
Laughter spilled out of me. “That’s not possible.”
