Page 135 of Not In The Contract
She was right. Of course she was.
“I don’t want to make things more complicated.”
“No offense, but things kinda suck already, don’t you think?” she asked. “If anything, you’ll have the clarity you need to move on. You deserve that much.”
My phone burned a hole in the pocket of my shorts. It really could be that simple: I’d pull it out, send Alex a text, and this whole guessing game would be over.
I was still considering that as a viable plan of action when Tamera’s phone buzzed. She looked at it and groaned loudly.
“What is it? Everything okay?”
“Emergency at work.” She slipped her shoes back on and made to stand up.
“Wait, you’re leaving? What am I supposed to do with all of this?” We’d barely scraped the surface of the picnic spread out in front of us.
Tamera gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Dev, but I believe in you. You can handle a big lunch, can’t you?”
My heart dropped at the prospect of being left alone, but I nodded. “Sure, go. Save the day, while I continue becoming one with nature and eat my feelings.”
She chuckled, giving me a quick hug. “You’ve got this. And if anyone looks at your cupcakes, give them the evil eye. Those aren’t for sharing.”
With a wave she dashed off, leaving me alone with our abundant picnic and the vibrant park scene around me. I settled onto the blanket, feeling a strange mix of exhilaration and self-consciousness.
As I munched on a sandwich and observed the world around me, I found myself relaxing in ways I hadn’t expected. The laughter of children and the distant hum of food vendors washed away the stress that had been clinging to me. The strangest thing happened then, thanks to the quietness in my head. The fear I’d been gripped with for days slipped away and I pulled my phone from my pocket.
…maybe it’s time to find out…
Tam’s advice played over in my head as I scrolled to Alex’s name. I tapped it, causing our last text conversation to spring onto my screen. My heartrate picked up as if on cue, mouth suddenly dry. It felt like a lifetime ago, like a few more lifetimes had passed in the time we’d last spoken to each other. If I were to reach out now, what would I even say? Was this an instance where a simple ‘Hey’ would suffice?
I sighed heavily and buried my phone in my pocket again. I wasn’t ready. I needed time to think out the perfect way to launch into this, and it wasn’t going to be done out here. Pulling onto my knees, I started gathering the food to pack the basket. All this fresh air was having adverse effects on my common sense, and I didn’t like it.
A shadow fell over me from behind, instantly cooling the sunbaked tingle on my legs. I half expected to turn around and find a guy who’d singled me out in the crowd, probably getting ready to invite himself to my solo picnic.
“Hey.”
My urgent packing stalled. Every muscle in my body froze up at the sound of Alex’s voice.
46. Secrets Aloud
Alex
Evenasmydriverpulled up to the park, I still wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing. According to Tamera, it was the best next move I could make.Hadto make, if her stern talking to was anything to go by.
I took a breath, standing on the edge of the park and looking at the sprawling green. The shrill shrieking of kids and general buzz of talking and activity faded into the background of my rising nervousness. My heart pounded so hard I could practically hear it, but I didn’t let that stop me from heading toward the spot Tamera had described earlier.
Nervousness wasn’t something I was accustomed to, not in business, not in high-stakes negotiations, and definitely not in my personal life. Up until the likes of Devon, I was always in control. But here I was, making my way to a picnic, feeling like a teenager about to ask someone to prom.
“Just be cool, Al,” I lectured myself, keeping my eyes trained straight ahead. “Tamera’s right. You need to do something, sooner rather than later.”
The image of Devon’s hurt face swam into my mind’s eye. That face had haunted so many sleepless nights. I had allowed it to happen. I was the reason for the distance between us, so it made sense that I be the one to close the gap.
I pushed on, my feet sinking into the soft, pillowy grass. My attempt at dressing down was still sorely out of place and my linen blazer drew a few puzzled looks from people as I passed them, even though I’d had the sense to pair it with a white vest and light cotton slacks.
I scanned the grassy area, my heart racing as I finally drew closer to the giant tree that looked exactly like the one Tamera had snapped. Pulling out my phone, I brought up the picture to compare it. Yes, I was on the right track. To confirm my suspicions, I picked out Devon’s slender legs poking out of the shade. Half on, half off the picnic blanket.
I approached hesitantly, pausing when Devon sprang to her knees and started packing up for some reason. Probably done with being stuck there alone, if I had to guess. I quickened my pace, my palms sweaty when I drew up to her.
“Hey.”
