Page 22 of I Love You Again
"This is a time of peace," she replied just like she usedto.
"Okay, Milady you may proceed." He was still annoyed at her and would only stop calling her that when he was sure that there would be no furtherarguments.
She sat next to him on the step and adjusted herself so that she was facinghim.
"I'm sorry." She told him. "I'm sorry about yesterday and everything Isaid."
He inclined his head to the side and regarded her with a contemplative stare. "That's amazingly the first time you've ever apologized soquickly."
"Because I was completely at fault and rude," sheconfessed
"So, what Milady is saying is that she no longer blames me for not being able to gohome."
"Yes. Can you stop with the Milady now?" It was annoying years ago, and it was annoying now. Especially since she was certain it would be something Captain Chicken Feet wouldsay.
He shook his head. "No. I don't thinkso."
She sighed and rested her hands in herlap.
"Come." He stood up. "Let's grab breakfast. We can eat, thentalk."
She looked up at him and nodded. Grateful for the chance, and theidea.
* * *
They founda diner where they ordered the most delicious breakfast she’d had in a very long time. Most often she ended up skipping breakfast because she was so busy. She tried to carry snacks with her, but that would never make up for a good old-fashioned sit-down meal. While Brad ordered a full platter heaped with toast, eggs, sausages, bacon and pancakes, she had a stack of pancakes layered with syrup and hazelnut chocolate spread. It was divine and offered some much-neededcomfort.
"Okay, now that we're watered and fed we can talk," Bradannounced.
She rested back against the padded leather of her seat and settled her hands before her on thetable.
She didn't know where to begin and since he'd done a lot of talking the other night the ball was in her court. However, she honestly didn't know where to begin. There was so much tosay.
"I don't know what tosay."
"You had a lot to say yesterday," he pointedout.
"I know, but I wasangry."
"Trina, you're not angry at me because you didn't get to go home, or because we had to come here. You're angry at the past, and you think I'm acoward."
Yes. That was exactly it. But she shouldn't feel that way. Especially now since he kindly pointed out that they weren't a couple anymore. He had indeed explained all that he needed to explain and didn't owe her anything more. Them being here should realistically be about trying to get on so they could do their part for the wedding, and be the friends they should be to Jennifer and Neil. Nothingelse.
"It doesn't matter Brad. It shouldn't. Just forget it. We can move forward and do what we need to for thewedding."
"It does matter.” He held her gaze. “We can't move forward until we fix the problem. I want to fix this with us." He rested back against his seat too and ran his finger along the edge of hisplate.
She appreciated him saying that. "You don't need to. It's in the past, and Iunderstand."
"You understand, but you don't accept it. You don't accept theexplanation."
This was the trouble in dealing with people who knew you and Brad was the kind of guy who had the tendency to know her better than she knewherself.
"It is what itis."
"That's true, but I need you to accept the reasons why I had to leave." His eyes searchedhers.
"Brad..." She thought a moment before continuing and pulled in a breath. "It feels like you and my dad took my life into your hands and did what you thought was best for me. No one asked me what I wanted." That was what was seriously getting toher.
