Page 16 of The Phyre that Burns
“I don’t mind telling them that many moons ago, you strung me along, made me fall in love with you, lied and said you were in love with me, but in actuality, you were engaged to another woman.”
“Ginae, I didn’t string you along, and I didn’t lie to you. If you would agree to have dinner with me, I can explain.”
“No thank you. I’m good. It’s water under the bridge, so no explanation is necessary.”
Her focus returned to her phone, but she was no longer texting furiously. She stared at it, probably to avoid my eyes. I was sure she felt my gaze on her, but she refused to give me her attention.
“You probably don’t believe me, but I’ve never stopped loving you.”
Suddenly, she gathered her food and left the kitchen. Seconds later, I heard the office door close. As disappointed as I was, it was only the first day of our reunion. She was probably still adjusting to the idea of being in my presence almost daily for the next six months.
I didn’t have much of an appetite, so I went to the counter where the bagels were and sliced one of them in half. After toasting it and slathering it with plain cream cheese, I grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and headed to my office. Before I could get comfortable behind my desk, Lennon appeared at my door.
“What the fuck do you want?” I asked, not in the mood for his bullshit.
“You’re rude as hell. I was just coming to check on you.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m pretty sure the woman I passed in the hallway was Ginae, and she didn’t look happy. In fact, I think she was crying.”
“Shit.”
“What did you say to her?”
“Not enough and too much, I guess. She’s not trying to hear me.”
“It’s only day one.”
“Yeah, that’s what I told myself. If she was crying, that means she still cares.”
“Do you have a plan?”
I shrugged. “I thought I did, but I also thought she’d see me and all the feelings she had for me would come rushing back.”
“They did, just not the feelings you were expecting.”
“True. I’ll ease up for a minute and give her some time to adjust to being in my presence. I don’t want her to pack up her shit and leave, so I have to tread lightly.”
“I don’t know why you thought this shit would be easy. I know I’m not the man you like taking advice from, considering my situation, but both my homes are happy. You might have to let her come to you when she’s ready to talk. You don’t run this show.”
“For a change, you might be right.”
Lennon and I talked for a few more minutes before he left. When everyone returned from lunch, I kept my distance from Ginae, speaking to her only when necessary. By the end of the day, I was mentally exhausted because it took a lot of strength for me to give her space.
I wantedto call Devyn as soon as I left the building, but I waited until I was home and showered. I barely let her greet me before I began my rant.
“The nerve of that asshole. He thinks everything is sweet because a lil time passed. Tuh! I think not.”
“Sis, take a breath and start from the beginning.”
“Today was a lot.”
“I’m sure it was. When you didn’t respond to my texts, I figured you were either busy or wanted to wait until you got home to update me.”
“I got there about thirty minutes before everyone else, and he didn’t waste a second.”
“What do you mean?”
