Page 11 of Liberating Bells
The hot fire of jealousy burned in my stomach at the first touch of his hand on hers, and I nearly reverted to caveman instincts whenever he kissed her. I knew he was doing it to taunt me. Every time Mark would lean over to press his lips to her cheek, his eyes would dart up to mine, letting me know exactly what he was trying to do. It was as if he knew where I was at all times yesterday during that party, and he never hesitated once to stake his claim on her.
Even thinking about it now has a ball of fury welling up in my chest.
I had been on my way out, unable to stomach seeing Mark draped all over Izabel anymore. But then she was there, falling clumsily backward and into my arms after being run over by kids.
It was as though the earth finally righted itself on its axis and all the stars and planets were aligned simultaneously.
We are both older now, but I was surprised at how familiar holding her felt. How having her weight against me and her hands clutching me brought a sense of peace I had almost forgotten. It was too much.
Even now, it’s too much for me to think about. I shake my head and throw my briefcase onto my desk, flopping back in my chair and getting settled for the day. I let my face fall into my hands and close my eyes for a second, my head still spinning over the events of the weekend.
After I left that god-forsaken party, I went straight to the liquor store and got some liquid comfort. That evening, I indulged in one too many, trying to ease the pain of seeing Izabel again. Before I knew it, half the bottle was gone. Yesterday, I didmy best to shake it off and keep busy. I ran errands and did some chores over at my mom’s house. But once evening fell again, the thoughts came chasing back, and I threw the rest of the liquor back like it was nothing.
I groan at the thought of it. That was a serious lapse in judgment. I’m too old to be doing that.
A hesitant tap on my door has me glancing up. Lori cracks open the door and peeks her head in before allowing herself entry. She’s holding a mug of steaming coffee in her hands and raises it like a peace offering.
I give her a weak smile and beckon her farther into my office.
“That’s a hangover if I’ve ever seen one,” she speculates as she comes up to my desk and sets the coffee down. “Must have been a really shitty weekend to have you looking like this on a beautiful Monday morning. Want to talk about it?”
Lori has been my saving grace. When she sent in her application almost a month ago, I never realized just how vital of a team member she’d become. She has been pivotal in helping me get my small office established, even going as far as bringing some old, unused furniture and home decor from her home to help furnish the space and make it more inviting. Thank goodness, because I wouldn’t have thought of that.
I take a grateful sip of the coffee, appreciating the familiar burn down my throat. This is exactly what I needed. If only my last cup hadn’t ended up all over my shirt.
“Thank you, Lori, but I’d rather not talk about it,” I say with a shake of my head.
Lori nods in understanding. “Alright, well, if you ever need an ear, I’m right out front.” She heads toward the door before turning around to face me again. “And you tell that girl who’s got you all twisted in knots that she doesn’t know what she’s missing.”
I laugh, even though it’s not funny, and she tosses me a wink before heading back to her desk. Setting my coffee mug down, I open my laptop and get to work. I have a meeting in just a few minutes, and I have to get my head right.
The work sucks me in, drowning out any other lingering thoughts of the terrible weekend. Lori runs to lunch and grabs me a sandwich and another coffee from the café next door. Before I know it, I’ve checked off almost all of my tasks for the day. All I have to do is return some phone calls and I’ll be on my way.
I’m jotting down a note on a sticky-pad when I hear a commotion out in the lobby. Lori is talking to someone, rather loudly.
“Excuse me, you can’t just go in there!” Lori hollers as my office door flies open.
Next thing I know, I’m staring wide-eyed at Izabel. Her eyebrows are bunched together in confusion as she takes me in. I stand up immediately and she takes a step forward.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Why do you have coffee all over your shirt?”
I glance down at my stained shirt and grimace. Running a hand through my hair, I look back at her and give her a sheepish smirk. “It was a long morning.”
Her lips twitch. “And you have glasses?”
I chuckle now, and pull my glasses off my face, tossing them onto my desk. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust. The glasses are just for work. Staring at the small print and screens for hours on end was starting to give me headaches, so I got these to fix the issue.
“I’m almost twenty-seven, Izabel. That’s only three years away from thirty.”
Izabel rolls her eyes. “You’re so dramatic.”
I step around and desk and lean on the edge, crossing my arms over my chest. Her gaze falls to my arms, and I watch her eyes flare. “What are you doing here?”
“I think I should be asking you the same thing, Ryan.”
I motion around the room. “This is my office.”
