Page 62 of Blossoms of the Heart
That and she came with a basket of lunch items for us to share, acting like she never got my calls.
I waited for the moment to talk seriously about us, but it was like every time she sensed I was going to she jumped into some deep conversation.
First it was telling me about her family back in Denver. That her mom had pneumonia, her dad broke his leg and her little sister was getting married. Then it was discussion of work, the piece she was writing on for the upcoming festivals, her bully of a boss, and then quite randomly her desire to move closer to Tokyo.
Before I knew it the subject ofusnot getting back together became inappropriate to talk about, and then the whole day was over. Night had fallen, she was waving goodbye in her car as she pulled out of the drive and I was cursing myself for being a pussy.
How in the fuck did I spend a whole day with Candace and not get the chance to tell her the most important thing on my mind?
And, on top of that I never got to see Dante.
Candace was stalling. I knew her and she knew me.
Very few people could claim to truly know me because I seldomly if ever allowed anyone to get that close.
Those that did get close knew how to reach me. They knewexactlywhat to do to reach me. One thing I hated most in this world was being forced to do something I didn’t want to do. Felt a little like emotional blackmail. I was a guy who didn’t entertain that shit on a normal basis. The general person wouldn’t try it with me.
But someone like Candace would know how to stall me for a whole day and leave me feeling like I’d been caught in a spiders web.
It was like a game today. Every time there was an opening to talk she’d throw in a diversion, talking about something that would engage us in deep conversation. Purposely changing the dynamics of the atmosphere so I would never really get a chance to end it with her.
I barely slept that night so when Sunday came I thought of arranging to meet her for lunch. I was supposed to be going to Akito’s for a family dinner, a dinner that I was looking forward to. We did that once a month. He’d make a few of Rukia’s amazing dishes and we’d just hang out as a family. My parents would join in sometimes when they weren’t travelling.
They were currently in Barbados because Mom set her sights on a new designer there. My dad who lived to please her thought a romantic Caribbean cruise would be a nice touch. Especially since it was their half wedding anniversary. I’d heard mad shit about half birthdays, but those two did it all. Half birthdays and half anniversaries. I blamed my dad. He was crazy in love with my mother. Since she deserved everything amazing in this world, I couldn’t knock what they had.
I grabbed my phone the moment I woke up, which was just after ten, and sent Candace a message asking to meet up today.
She never messaged back.
Then shit, it was just as I stepped out of my house to head to Akito’s that she pulled up in a taxi.
“Hey there, I’m ready. So sorry I’m late.” She beamed as she hoped out
Late. I didn’t know what she meant. My heart sank when the taxi drove away. Then I took note of what she was wearing. A little red summer dress and matching heels. She was dressed up like she was going somewhere.
She rushed up to me.
“Did you get my text? I wanted to meet for lunch.” I was trying to keep my blood from boiling.
“Yes, you said about meeting so I thought you meant for dinner at Akito’s.”
Fuck, I told her yesterday that I was going to dinner this evening. But… I was sure there was no way she would confuse my text and take it to mean I was inviting her to come along to Akito’s.
Did I say lunch in the text?
I couldn’t remember. I knew I said meet today but I thought she would text back, or call.
Ugh, this was getting ridiculous.
“Where’s your car?”
“It broke when I got home last night.” She sighed and brought her hand up to her cheek. “I spent the day at the garage. It needs a new engine and the cost is going to be more than the car. I would have called you but I thought I’d just see you now. I’m excited to go to dinner after a stressful day. Thanks for inviting me.”
Okay. What was this?
Was this really my fault? Did I somehow royally screw myself over and not know?
I didn’t want to take her to dinner at Akito’s.
