Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Scott
It’s been a week since I told Trina about Megan. That was the last time we talked.
Trina hasn’t been around much. She’s either at work or out with her ex. I guess I can’t call him her ex anymore since they’re back together. I can’t believe she took him back.
Every time I see her with him, I get so damn angry. I’m angry at her for getting back together with him, but I’m even more angry at myself for ending it with her. I tell myself I didn’t have a choice, but that’s just an excuse. The truth is, I could’ve been with Trina but wouldn’t let myself. I let my fear of getting serious with a girl make my decision instead of doing what I really wanted.
But this past week, as I’ve thought it over, I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided to try again with Trina. I know she’s with Asher, but that’s not going to stop me. They’re not married. They’re not even engaged. I don’t know what they’re doing. Dating? Getting to know each other again? It doesn’t matter. I’m giving this a shot and hoping for the best.
“Hey,” Cole says, coming into my apartment. “I got the bill from the plumber.”
I’m on the couch with my laptop, going over the notes for the meeting this week.
“Just leave it on the counter,” I say. “I’ll deal with it later.”
Cole sits down across from me in the chair. “You make a decision?”
He’s asking about the offer I got last week from the company I sold. The new owners want me to move back to California for a few months to help out while they look for a new CEO. The one they had left and it could take a while to find a replacement.
“Not yet,” I tell him.
“You’re going out there tomorrow. When are you going to decide?”
“I’ll know by tonight,” I say, but I don’t tell him that my decision is based on Trina.
I’ve decided to tell Trina how I feel and ask her if we could try again, for real this time. A real relationship. If she turns me down, I’ll take the offer and move to California. I never wanted to go back there, given all the memories the place holds, but it’s better than staying here and watching Trina with Asher.
“How long are you going to be there?” Cole asks. “If you take the offer?”
“Depends on how long it takes them to find a new CEO.”
“Would you ever consider taking the job? Moving back there for good?”
“And leave you here all alone?” I smile. “I couldn’t do that to you.”
“No, seriously. Would you ever move back?”
I shake my head. “It’d be too hard to have a life there without her. When I’m there, I see Megan everywhere I go.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t take the offer.”
“I thought about turning it down, but it might be good to get away for a while.”
“Have you talked to her yet?” he asks, referring to Trina, knowing she’s the reason I want to get away.
“No, but I’m planning to today when she gets home. I want to let her know I’ll be out of town.”
That’s not why I’m talking to her, but Cole doesn’t need to know that.
“She’s home now,” he says. “I saw her go into her apartment.”
“Are you sure? I didn’t hear her door.”
“I saw her go in there like an hour ago, when I was coming back from the gym.”
I get up. “I’m going to go talk to her before she goes to work.”
“Okay.” He heads to the door. “Let me know if you want to do something tonight before your trip.”
“I will,” I tell him, but if all goes well, I’ll be doing something with Trina tonight.
He leaves, and I go over to Trina’s apartment before I talk myself out of it. Part of me still can’t believe I’m doing this. After Megan died, I promised myself I’d never put my heart out there again, and here I am, breaking that promise.
Standing at her door, I almost change my mind, thinking I’ll do it later. But I can’t put it off. I have to make a decision about this offer, and Trina is part of that decision.
I knock on her door. “Trina, it’s Scott.”
She opens the door. “Hi, Scott.” She smiles, and I instantly know this is the right decision. I want to see that smile every damn day. I want to be the reason for it. I’d do anything to make her smile like that. To make her happy.
“I wanted to talk to you,” I say. “Do you have a minute?”
“Yeah, but I need to leave soon.”
“This won’t take long.” I go into her apartment.
“While you’re here, I might as well give you give this.” She hands me a check. “Sorry it’s late. I kind of forgot.”
“You’re not supposed to pay me this month.”
“Scott, I’m not letting you give me a month of free rent just for staying at your party for five minutes.”
“Sorry, but that was the deal.” I give her the check. “I’m not taking this. And don’t try slipping it under my door because I’m not going to cash it.”
She smiles. “You’re not going to make money as a landlord if you keep giving people free rent.”
“I don’t do it for everyone. Just you.”
She sets the check down. “So what do you want to talk about?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this week about what I told you. About Megan and what happened. And I’ve realized that—” I stop when I see it, my heart sinking.
She’s wearing a ring. A big, sparkly, diamond engagement ring. I saw it the moment she lifted her hand up.
She’s committed herself to Asher. She’s decided to marry him.
I’m too late. I waited too long, and now I’m too late.