Page 60 of Irresistible Second Chance

“Sorry,” Starr said, “But you and Chris will figure it out. I have faith in you.”

I said goodbye and hung up as she wished me luck. I was glad she had faith in me. At least one of us had faith. I felt incompetent at love.

I tried calling him again and again, but he didn’t pick up. Beyond frustrated, I made myself focus on looking over all the information I had on the client. It was difficult because I glanced at my phone every few seconds hoping it would ring or that a text from Chris would pop up.

I wasn’t so lucky. I didn’t receive one text or anything from him. Dad called me to tell me that he was home and had picked more apples than he could ever eat in his lifetime. I heard Donna giggle about it in the background. Her laugh made me smile. It was infectious like Dad’s. I was glad he found his person. It was hard out there: Not that I could really relate. My person had been there, right in front of me, the whole time and I had ignored him. Thrown him away. Several times. No wonder he didn’t want to speak with me.

I got tired of working and sat and watched mindless TV until it was time for me to get dressed. I pulled on a pantsuit and added a little more makeup than usual. I wanted to make a good impression on the clients I told myself, but I actually just wanted to look prettier to get Chris’ attention. Not that he cared, he’d seen me at my worst and still thought I was beautiful. What was wrong with me? I thought for the millionth time that day. Why had I been afraid to commit to the one person in the world who actually saw me for who I was and accepted me?

While in the elevator, I took a deep breath and told myself to focus on work. I would have a chance to talk things out with Chris later. After all, it wasn’t as if I wouldn’t see him again, unless he packed up and moved abroad again. Even then, he was only a plane ride away...but what if he had moved on. What if he didn’t want a relationship with me? What would I do then?

To my horror, my eyes started to fill with tears. I wiped at them and told myself to maintain my composure. After all, I had a job to do and if Chris rejected me, at least I still had my work, my title, my career, but that all seemed empty now in comparison to having Chris.

When the elevator door opened, I squared my shoulders and walked through the lobby. Chris was standing there looking handsome. His back was turned to me, and I just stared at him. I really looked at him, admiring his broad shoulders that I’ve spent time crying on. I admired his strong arms that held me when I was too tired or emotionally exhausted to continue. And then he turned towards me as if he could feel his eyes on me and my eyes held his. As I approached him, I didn’t break eye contact. Maybe now wasn’t the right time and place to tell him how I felt, but I hoped my eyes revealed just how much I loved him.

“Hi,” I said stopping in front of him.

“Hi,” he said, looking away from me.

“I called you several times. Why didn’t you pick up?”

“Like I said, I was busy.”

“Busy with what?”

“Tying up some loose ends.”

“What loose ends?”

“My rental for starters.”

“Oh, you’re moving out of it?”

“Yeah, the lease is up. I figured it was time to move on. Ready?”

So, he was leaving. He actually planned to leave. I felt as if my breath had been knocked out of me.

“I uhhh forgot something upstairs. I’ll catch an Uber and meet you there,” I said backing away. I turned and walked quickly away because tears were falling down my face. He was leaving. What had I expected? I had done nothing to convince him to stay.

“I can wait,” he called behind me. Clearing my throat, I didn’t turn around and called back, “Leave without me! I’ll be right there.”

I hit the elevator button and was relieved when it showed up. I went in and let the tears fall down my face when a hand stopped the elevator doors from closing. I wiped at my tears and opened my mouth in shock as Chris came in.

He didn’t say a word, he just walked up to me and hugged me tight. I let him hold me and then wrapped my arms around him, scared to let him go. Countless times he had held me, listened to me, been there for me throughout our lives and I had always pushed him away. I was done pushing him away even if the pain I felt was my own fault.

He touched my chin and tilted my head up. “Are you ok?” he asked. “Is your dad ok? I told him this trip was a bad idea.”

I frowned, forgetting what I had to say. “What did my dad have to do with this?” I asked between sniffles.

Chris sighed and wiped away my tears, “He found out from my parents that I was going on a work trip. So, he called me and asked me to take you with me. More like begged me. So, I asked Robert if he could spare you for a few days. Your dad said that you needed to get away. He said you were smothering him.”

I placed my hands on my hips, “Really? Smothering him? Is that what he calls it?”

“He said you stopped by all the time and texted him at least ten times a day.”

“I---well---yes, I did, but that’s what concerned daughters do.”

“Do they, though?” he asked sounding like his normal teasing self.

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