Page 38 of Love Is an Art
“Sure.”
He waves to follow him. We walk past the two lines of people through a metal door and down a short staircase to a lower level where some glass-partitioned offices sit.
“Here it is.” He gestures at the door marked bathroom at the end.
“Thanks.” The ceiling is low down here, and the space feels constricted compared to the high ceilings of the art gallery.
He steps closer to me. “Do you like this guy Zeke?”
He looks so intent and serious, as if my answer matters.
I back up. “It’s our first date.”
His posture relaxes. “Look, I know I was kind of a jerk in how I broke up with you, but honestly, I was surprised by how upset you were. You gave the impression I was a fun way to spend the time when you didn’t have to work.”
I stare at him. “I could always be working. I dated you because I liked you.”
“I realized that when we broke up.” His face crinkles up. “You never shared your feelings—except about your cases, particularly your pro bono ones. In those, you got so involved that I didn’t feel like there was any room for me. I didn’t seem like a priority compared to your career.”
Of course, my career came first. My job is what supports me. I’m not about to rely on a man for that. “You put your career first too. You wanted to break up because you didn’t like going to all these functions—which are part of your work—alone. I don’t remember you making any passionate declarations.”
“Fair enough,” he says. “I felt like you didn’t trust me … that you were afraid that if you showed any vulnerability, shared any of your feelings, you couldn’t trust that I wouldn’t hurt you.”
Like you did,I’m tempted to say. But I’ve moved past that.
His eyes soften. “I guess what I’m trying to say, badly, is that we both didn’t particularly share our emotions, and I recommend doing that.”
“Okay. Thanks for the advice. I guess.” I push the bathroom door open.
“Because he looks like he likes you. And if I had known what you felt …” He pauses as the door closes. I stop and hold it open.
My glance meets Wyatt’s, and it’s as if regret lingers in his eyes. I did really like him at one point. “Okay. I’ll try to be more open about my feelings.”
The bathroom is thankfully empty, but not my head.
Just someone to hang out with …
He didn’t know that I cared about him.
It still isn’t an excuse to dump me out of the blue and immediately date someone new.
And what was that look of regret? Is he not happy with Marla? Is he regretting breaking up with me?
That ship has sailed.
But good for him if he’s opening up more. Uh oh. I better get back up there in case Wyatt decides to talk again to Zeke. Oh no. I wash my hands hurriedly, forgo drying, and race back up the stairs.
Zeke is talking to Jurgen.
I stop short.
Mr. He-is-not-my-friend is definitely conversing with Scammer Guy.
The body language isn’t best friends, though. Jurgen has his arms crossed in a defensive posture.
Should I join them? Or try to eavesdrop?
Chapter eleven
