Page 12 of Between Now & Heartbreak

I straighten my shoulders and smile, but I don’t even try to hide the disdain in my eyes.

“Areyouhere with the girl whose ass you ate for breakfast?”

A flush rises up his cheeks and his mouth opens and then closes in a firm angry line. His obvious mortification is nearly as satisfying as getting to slap him would have been.

“I won’t lie and say it’s nice to see you. But, I do hope you enjoy your stay in Winsome.”

I turn on my heel and walk away.

I manage to keep my tears at bay until I’m safely ensconced in the surprisingly clean bathroom in the back of the bar.

But once I’m there, I let them flow.

I don’t even know why I’m crying. In the grand scheme of my life, it’s not a big deal. Iknowthat.

So, why does it hurts so much to see him and not be able to hug him?

Why is it feel so wrong to have anything other than warmth between us?

It must be muscle memory. But, just like my fear, my affection isn’t real.

Yes, we had a nice time. But, whatever we might have been, I’ll just have to wonder.

I’m done crying over men who will never cry over me.

When I’ve washed my face and reapplied my make up, I make my way back to our table, rehearsing my explanation to Dina.

The excuse I concocted disappears like a candle being snuffed out when our table comes into sight.

Carterof all people is sitting with her. Before I can turn around and beat a path away from them, they look up from their intense conversation and straight at me.

His expression is unreadable and I have no idea what I must look like as I wait for one of them to speak. Inside, I’m a mad woman running with my arms flailing around my head.

Dina reacts first.

“What happened to you? You dropped your drink and by the time I looked up you were gone.” Dina stands and walks over to me and lays her most disgruntled frown on me.

I grab her arm and smile with as much nonchalance as I can while I turn us so Carter can’t see my lips moving.

“I went to the bathroom. I see you met your Mr. Tall…or whatever you called him.”

Her eyes and mouth widen in delight and she turns us around so we’re facing him again.

“Liz, this is Carter Bosh.” She says like she expects me to cheer.

I smile stiffly and look at a point over his shoulder. “That’s nice.”

“Why are you being weird?” she tugs on my arm.

“What’s he doing here?” I say out of the corner of my mouth.

“You’re being rude,” Dina hisses and then drags me to the table, talking to Carter as we walk. “You have to forgive her. She’s one of those people who doesn’t watch TV, so she has no idea who anyone is.” She gives Carter a conspiratorial smile that makes me want to scream.

He doesn’t smile back and he’ already on his feet, backing away from the table.

“Nice to meet you, Diana,” he says.

“Her name isDina,” I say with an insincere smile. She jabs my side with her elbows me slightly before she rushes over and puts a staying hand on his shoulder.

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