Page 15 of Addicted to You

Thankfully, it’s engrossing. I read about the ill-fated noble dynasty that once lived there, their beautiful gardens, paintings, and furniture, and somehow I succeed in pushing thoughts of last night to the back of my mind.

I’m just about done when my phone rings. I frown at Brett’s name on the screen. I haven’t seen him, or spoken with him since the night he told Laurie that they needed some time apart.

“Brett.” I try to keep the edge out of my voice, but I’m still pissed at him and it shows.

“Hi.” He releases a breath with the word, like he’s relieved that I picked up. “How’re you?”

“I’m okay.”

I hear him sigh. There’s none of his usual playfulness in his voice. In fact, he sounds as dejected as I know Laurie feels. “And Laurie? How’s she?”

“You know you could call her and ask her yourself,” I say with a small snort.

He is quiet. “Can we meet, for lunch or something?”

I frown. “Today?”

“If you have the time. I’d really like to talk to you.”

There’s a hint of a plea in his voice, I sigh and look at my watch. It’s almost noon. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Great.” He sounds relieved. We make arrangements to meet at a deli close to my office, and he’s already waiting when I get there. He’s seated at a table close to the window, restlessly tapping his fingers on the formica surface. His T-shirt has the logo of his gym printed on the front, and his black, curly hair flops endearingly over his forehead and ears. He’s always been fit, especially since he started the gym, but now he looks like he’s lost some weight, and not in a good way.

I slide into the seat opposite him. “You look awful,” I tell him, feeling a little sympathy.

“I know,” he replies with a long, tired sigh.

An impatient looking waitress comes around to take my sandwich order. Brett orders the same thing, grilled chicken and vegetable, with a large mixed fruit smoothie. When she leaves, Brett leans forward. “It’s not that I haven’t asked Laurie, or spoken to her. I have.”

“She told me,” I say with a shamefaced look. “I was just being a bitch earlier.”

He sighs. “I deserve it, don’t I?”

“Yeah kinda.”

He is quiet. The waitress returns with our drinks. This time, she pauses to smile at Brett and ask him if he needs anything else.

I notice that he hardly looks at her when he says no. “What do you think?” he asks me. “How is she really?”

I sigh. “What do you want, Brett? Do you want to be with Laurie or not?”

“You know I do.” He closes his eyes and leans back in his chair, and I see the pain etched on his face. “Did she ever mention… do you think she wants to break up?”

I shake my head. “Now or before?”

“Before.” He pauses. “Now too. Does she want to end things?”

“No,” I reassure him. “She never mentioned anything like that to me.”

The waitress brings my food, sullen and impatient again. I wait for her to leave before biting into the sandwich.

“Good?” Brett asks.

I nod.

He sips from his smoothie, ignoring the sandwich on his plate. There’s a small frown on his face, and I can tell he’s deep in thought.

“Hey,” I say softly. “Come on, eat something.”

---