11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter eleven
A ria sat on the flannel blanket on the grass at the park downtown by Mark’s office. He’d asked her to meet him for lunch, technically her breakfast. Their second date.
She felt guilty for not canceling because Nick was really trying to show her he wanted her back.
But she had a hard time disappointing Mark after she accepted this date at the end of their last one. Maybe they didn’t have the kind of chemistry she and Nick shared, but she could at least give him a chance. Some relationships took time.
He’d packed lunch for both of them. A lovely charcuterie board with summer sausage, ham, salami, three kinds of cheeses, crackers, olives, and fresh strawberries and grapes. He’d even made them mimosas with some orange, peach, mango juice, and a mini bottle of champagne. For dessert, he’d brought a decadent New York cheesecake. The whole meal had been different but so yummy, and she was stuffed. They’d been enjoying the sunny day and each other’s company. They talked a bit more about his job and family. She talked about the new suspense book she was reading and how she couldn’t wait to be an aunt.
Mark put his hand over hers on the blanket. “And what about the bar? How’s that going?”
She didn’t mind the contact, but missed the zing she usually felt when Nick touched her. Like their connection was charged.
Stop thinking about him. Focus. “It’s a party every night, so exhausting most of the time.” She smiled, letting him know she was only partially serious. The bar had a vibe most nights that she loved. People out looking for a good time, laughing, talking, dancing, singing along to their favorite songs. She loved talking to her customers, most of whom she knew well after all these years. She loved being a part of their lives and hearing about what was going on in theirs.
Mark eyed her. “You don’t mind working those late hours?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I’m used to it.”
“Yeah, but it makes it hard to date, I’d guess. And having a relationship with someone would be hard if you worked such different hours. Like we do.” He seemed concerned they wouldn’t have enough time together. Sweet or a precursor to him finding someone more available?
“You figured out a way to work out a date with me,” she reminded him, not liking how he seemed to be putting obstacles in place all of a sudden.
“I like you. A lot.”
“I like you, too.” But she was feeling guilty about the date after Nick had been so good about communicating with her.
And just before she’d arrived, he’d left her a message telling her he was moving to Wyoming. He was really going to do it, change his whole life to be with her.
Definitely sweet.
“You said you were looking for serious.” Mark squeezed her hand. “I could see us being close really fast. You’re an amazing woman.”
A blush warmed her cheeks. “Thanks. But serious takes time. This is just our second date.”
He was moving a bit too fast. “I’ve planned more, because I’m confident that you’ll see what I see.”
“And what’s that?”
“We’re perfect together.” That bold announcement came with him leaning in and kissing her cheek.
She leaned back and slipped her hand free from his. “Mark. We barely know anything about each other.”
“We’ll learn all the little details over time, of course. I’m just saying you’re smart and beautiful and sexy, everything I’m looking for in a wife.” He leaned in and nuzzled his nose into her hair. “I think about how good you and I could be in bed.”
Wow . She had not pictured him naked, let alone in bed with her.
Because all you think about is Nick, his toned, sculpted body, and the way he makes you feel when he’s deep inside you, making you come over and over again.
Her gaze quickly swept up Mark’s body, noting the bulge at the front of his slacks.
Her cheeks heated when he caught her.
“See, you’re thinking it, too.”
She was actually thinking that Nick’s muscles, added height, and bigger bulge made him a more appealing specimen. But she really loved Nick for always making her feel beautiful and smart and funny. He didn’t just tell her.
And right now, Mark thought he was saying what she wanted to hear, but he didn’t make her feel desired just because he was thinking about them in bed together. In fact, she was turned off by it because they didn’t know each other well enough to be intimate.
And yet, you practically jumped into bed with Nick the first time you met.
Because there was something about him, between them, she couldn’t deny. Something that was missing between her and Mark.
So why are you out with this guy and not getting back together with Nick?
“Mark, I’m not sure—”
He kissed her, cutting off her words. His tongue pressed along the seam of her lips and she planted her hand on his chest and pushed him back, breaking the kiss.
He cupped her cheek, his eyes narrowed. “Why’d you do that? Things were just getting good.”
She took his wrist and pulled his hand away from her face. “I like you, Mark.”
“Then say you’ll be my girlfriend.” His gaze swept over her, his eyes filled with want. “I know you went through a bad breakup. I’ll make you forget all about him.”
She didn’t want to forget a single thing about Nick. She loved him.
And being here with Mark, who she thought was nice, but just not Nick, wasn’t right.
“I’m sorry, Mark, but I need to go.”
He grabbed her hand and tugged, making her lean over toward him. “We still have some time before I have to be back at the office.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think we’re going to work out.”
He raised a brow. “You’re joking.”
She shook her head. “I enjoyed our time together. It’s just that—”
“You’re hung up on your ex.” Resignation filled his words and eyes.
She shrugged, admitting the truth. “Yes, I am. And it’s not fair of me to use you to get over him.” Because she’d never be over him.
But can we be together?
She’d never know if she didn’t try.
“Thank you for a lovely lunch. I really appreciate it, and I’m sorry it didn’t work out.” Not really, because she had someone who truly fit her.
Mark’s genuinely confused face made her feel bad, but she knew this was best for both of them.
She walked to her car, feeling hopeful. She pulled out her phone and called Nick.
“Hey, I only have a minute.” His deep voice made her belly tight and her blood heat.
“I got your message. I’m really excited that you’ll be moving here.”
“Me, too, sweetheart. Are you okay? You sound off.”
“I’m sorry I broke up with you the way I did without first telling you that I was unhappy, so that we could discuss it and figure something out.”
“Uh. This is a longer conversation than I can have right now. And I’m sorry about that. Can I call you later?”
“Anytime. And you don’t have to really say anything. I just thought you deserved to know that I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. I was taking us for granted. I’d given you no reason to think anything was going to change between us. And I have a lot more to say, but I really have to go and I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’ll talk later.”
“Aria?”
“Yeah?”
“I really want to say that thing.”
“I can’t wait to hear it when I see you next.” She hung up so he could do whatever he had to do, knowing she’d hear from him soon and that they were definitely going to figure out a way to be together again.