Page 17 of Hot in the City
He stood, staying behind his desk. The space between them seemed vast.
She stepped towards him. “I’m sorry, Ted. It’s just not what I want anymore.”
He let out a shaky breath. “Okay. But tell me honestly, did I do something wrong? Bettina said I was so wrapped up in work, I didn’t pay her any attention.”
Natalia nodded. “Bettina’s right. A woman needs to feel special. Not like an extra box to tick on your to-do list.”
Ted frowned, staring at his handcrafted timber desk, covered in reams of paperwork.
Natalia’s stomach twisted in knots. Hadn’t she thought the same? Marriage was something she should get onto. She was nearly thirty, so she’d tick it off her list, like doing the washing.
She looked down at her clenched hands. A glint of light caught her eye. Sunlight streamed through the slatted blinds on the window, bounced off her hand and split into rainbow colour. The ring. She slid the gold band off, then held it out on her flat palm.
Ted stepped past his desk to the centre of the room. Met her in the middle. He took the ring but watched it closely, as if it might explode. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
Natalia’s lips stretched into a wry smile. “Give it to Bettina. I think she’d say yes. Again. If you paid attention, you might have noticed she never really left.”
Ted’s face brightened instantly.
She knew he was still in love with his ex-wife. Her stomach-knots untwined. “Goodbye, Ted.” She turned to leave, but paused with her hand on the doorknob. “Well, not goodbye. I still work here, unless that’s too weird.”
“It’s not weird. See you at the meeting later.” He stuffed the ring into his jacket pocket. “Give us an update on the project with the horticulturalist. It sounds promising.”
She grinned. “Thanks Ted. It will be amazing.”
One year and one day later
Natalia wiped her damp palm down her ivory silk sheath dress. Her hands shook as she held up the printed email.
She glanced up and met Dan’s smiling eyes. The backdrop of the gardens and the oak tree was magnificent, but not as beautiful as this man in a suit. He was divine.
Natalia cleared her throat and read the words she’d written in advance.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Tree love
Dear Oak Tree 21,
I’m no good with words.
I sometimes get tongue-tied
Or forget to speak till it’s nearly too late.
I’m more eloquent with pencil or brush,
But meeting my love under your branches was fate.
Meeting him again, not just for a day.
This time, forever.
Thank you, beautiful oak tree.
