Chapter Ten
He’s a nice guy, but he just isn’t Him. -Lyla
Lyla
“The movie was great. So, so funny. What did you think?” I lean forward across the table and pretend to be eager to hear Jonathan’s opinion. The truth is the movie was just okay, and I feel weird being here at this fancy restaurant, trying to feel something that’s becoming more and more evident I don’t feel.
Dr. Jonathan Felix chatters on with funny anecdotes from the movie. I nod and smile at the right intervals, I hope. Geez, he’s handsome, I think objectively. He uses too much hair gel, but he’s really good-looking. His dark hair is perfectly styled and his puppy dog brown eyes twinkle with mirth and animation. He even has a dimple in one cheek. Not one in each cheek like Asher, but still he’s cute. So why don’t I feel tingles? Or anything? I don’t feel the electricity and excitement in my system that I do when I’m around Asher…
I mentally slap myself. Stop thinking about Asher. Stop thinking about Asher, moron. He’s sure as hell not thinking about you.
I surreptitiously continue checking him out. His chest is broad. He must work out. I bet Asher could still beat him in an arm-wrestling competition though. Asher’s biceps are insane… shit, shake it off, Lyla. Shake it off. When even Taylor Swift lyrics can’t get me out of my own head, I know it’s time to do something.
“Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom really quick,” I announce suddenly.
Jonathan’s mouth is still wide open as I walk away from the table. He obviously wasn’t finished talking. Darn. I thought I was faking paying attention so well.
Thankfully the bathroom is a single. I lock the door and press my back against it. I pull up the group text between Reina, Sophie, and I. I scroll through the last texts where they were advising me what to wear on my date. I quickly start to type.
Me: This isn’t working, girls. I can’t pay attention to anything my date is saying. All I can think of is Asher.
Reina: Sigh. I knew this was going to happen.
Sophie: So did I. It was your smart idea for her to go on this date, Reina. See? I told you she wasn’t ready.
Reina: Well, I thought getting under another available body might do her some good. Get the juices flowing, you know? Maybe make her forget hot doc?
Me: Can you please quit talking about me like I’m not here?
Sophie: Sorry Lyla. It’s ok if you aren’t into this guy. Maybe it’s just too soon.
Reina: And maybe Asher just needs to get his head out of his ass…
Sophie: Reina…
Reina: Well, he does.
Me: I agree, he does. But until I’m over him, I can’t do this. I need to go home. I feel like a total bitch leading this guy on.
Reina: Nah girl, you don’t qualify as a bitch. Can’t join my club. Just be honest with the guy. Maybe he’ll understand. If he doesn’t, so what? Next!
Sophie: I agree, be honest.
Me: I think you’re both right. Wish me luck.
I take a deep breath as I step out of the bathroom.
Jonathan watches me warily as I approach the table. “You okay, Lyla?”
I sit down and send him a wan smile. “I think so.” I glance around the restaurant, at all
the happy couples. To our right, there’s a couple feeding each other. Ugh. Even if I was with Asher, that would make me sick to my stomach. Why do couples do that?
I feel a light touch on my hand. I glance up and meet Jonathan’s kind gaze. “We can go if you need to, Lyla. I feel like you aren’t really here. Like you haven’t been here the whole night.”
I shake my head and send him a sad smile. “I’m so sorry, Jonathan. I want to be present. I want to enjoy this date, but there’s something holding me back.”
“Something or someone?” he asks and raises an eyebrow.
“Someone,” I answer softly. “I wish there wasn’t because you seem like such a nice guy. In another life…”
He shakes his head. “No need to explain. Once you said I was a nice guy, I knew my time was over.” He sends me a cocky smile. “If this guy never comes around though, you’ll keep me in mind?”
I nod, feeling relief spread through my chest. “I sure will.”
Jonathan drops me off at the door with a kiss to the cheek.
As he’s walking down the front stoop, he turns back around. “Dr. Cannon is a lucky guy, Lyla.”
My face flushes. “What do you mean, Dr. Cannon?”
He smirks. “Neither one of you hide it well, sweetheart. That man is head over heels for you. He watches you like a hawk, and you sneak glances at him when you think no one is watching. Maybe you should let him know how you feel.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.
“I did,” I say softly. “I told him, and he said it wasn’t going to happen.” I lift my shoulders and then let them drop. “I have to accept that and move on.”
“Honey, he may have said that, but he didn’t mean it.” Jonathan sounds so sure. How can he be sure?Are there signs I’m not seeing?
“How do you know?” I ask curiously. “How can you possibly know how he feels?”
A broad grin overtakes his face, and he cocks his head to the side. “Because he’s parked about two spaces down the road watching us. The man is obviously in love.”
With those words, he turns around and walks off, leaving me shell shocked.
I look down my street. Sure enough, a few spaces down there’s a black SUV that looks oddly familiar.
I ball my hands into fists by my side. That asshole.