Page 34 of Until Now
“So, let’s talk this out. I know you’re mad. You completely changed after that happened.”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Hopefully, you’re going to give me more than one syllable answers. I understand that took you by surprise, but it did me too. How was I supposed to know she was there? It’s not like I arranged it.”
“I don’t like that you didn’t make it crystal clear that you were not interested. You just told her you couldn’t because you didn’t have the time.”
His chuckle pisses me off. Royally. “Do not laugh.”
“I’m not laughing at you, Dominique. That isn’t who I am. I am laughing at the crazy idea I would want to be with any other woman but you. Don’t you know that?”
I stay silent because I do think that. I feel the fool.
“I want that to be true, Maxen. But we haven’t had enough time together to know what our boundaries are. I expect you to handle women’s advances the right way, whether I am there or not. And in return, you’ll get the same standard of behavior from me.”
“Do you think I want something else? I agree with you. Where did I go wrong tonight?”
The words make me relax. He’s asking the right question. I lay down against my down pillow and take a breath.
“I felt you left her thinking if you had more time here, you would have met her for lunch.”
As I say it, the words lose their hold on me. It sounds a bit needy. Or juvenile. But he doesn’t make me feel stupid for having said them.
“I hear ya. Can’t say I agree, but if I made you feel like that, I’m sorry. If it ever happens again, I’ll handle it better.”
“Thank you. Even though I hate that she was in your life, I get it. She’s very pretty. I can see why you were attracted.”
I have never fished for compliments in my life. That isn’t what I’m going for. Tonight, I just need a little encouragement and sweet talk.
“I’m forty years old, babe. And you’re in your thirties with a child. We can’t hide from the fact we have pasts.”
“I know.” I say it softly.
“Listen, love. I don’t give a fuck who you were with before. I only care that it’s me now.”
He called me love.
