Page 86 of Tomorrow Belongs to Us
I spin my head to him so fast, in shock. “Embarrassed?” I wasn’t, but there’s a pause as I think about how awkward our interaction became. That I, too, wasn’t sure who Chris thought Lance was. “No.” I try to say it with as much indignation as I can, but Lance doesn’t seem convinced. “You didn’t say who I was.”
“Because I don’t know who you are.”
“We’re on our first date,” he growls.
“Then why are we arguing?”
People are looking at us, because our voices have grown louder. We’ve almost come full circle, back to the portrait where we started.
He lifts his hand and palms the back of his neck. “I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”
I don’t like men who think they control me and own me and can dictate who I can talk to or not.
The hero side of him that once I found sexy, now makes me feel claustrophobic. I don’t want a guy who’s going to watch my every move and comment on everyone I talk to, especially men.
“Me, too. Let’s call it a night.”
Chapter 33
MEGAN
My palms are sweaty and I feel out of place.
I’m sitting in a reception area with three guys who are suited and booted, their attire exuding confidence.
These men are my competition.
I'm in my not-so-high-heels and an expensive, new suit I bought on the weekend, hoping to look and feel super confident. These men look like Preston, and that immediately makes me uneasy.
Stressing over this interview kept me up last night, as it has done for the last two nights. It’s the third interview and after this the managers will decide who to take on.
The job-hunting has been a good distraction, otherwise I'd have sat on my couch and gotten depressed about Lance and the perils of dating an older man. His superhero persona is now wearing thin and I’m beginning to see him as someone who is too controlling.
I don't want that.
I like being with him. He makes me feel special. It’s undeniable, this attraction between us, and I like that he is older, wiser, decent. That he’s caring and kind. He makes me feel special. To top that, he is hot and sexy and he’s all the things I’ve not had in a man ever.
He's almost too good to be true, I often think, until I'm reminded of the fact that he has a wife—ex or not—and she’ll always be a part of his life because of his daughter. These people will always be a part of his life, and I have to somehow fit into the jigsaw puzzle, but I’m not even sure if I’m the right piece. I don't even know if I want that. Lance comes with a lot of baggage, and I already have a truckload of my own. Once this magical beginning is over, once we are over the novelty of being together, things will fade, and we’ll become jaded. Most people do. The things that gnaw at us now, will only get worse. Our date at the art exhibition has already uncovered some warts.
He won't be patient with me and my hangups about love and I won't want to be second place in his life.
Maybe I make a clean break. I'm looking to make a new life, with a new job and in a new town.
It’s probably better that Lance isn’t a part of it.
~~
LANCE
Megan sounded tired and said she was staying in tonight because she just got back from work.
I didn’t call her until now. I left it for a few days; I thought it might be best to give her some space especially after our date didn’t end on such a great note. But she had an interview today, and I wanted to make sure she was okay.
Despite putting on a brave face and acting all hard-nosed, I can tell these things faze her, so I decide to surprise her.
I knock on her door while trying to balance a bag of groceries in one hand. She opens the door in her PJs—silk pyjamas and a thin sweatshirt on top. Surely it’s not that late?
“You're going to bed?” I exclaim, waiting for permission to enter.
