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“What’s up, T?”
“Hey. Are we still meeting this morning?”
“Yeah. I’ll stop by and get you in a few. Is Janae coming with you?”
“No.”
“Okay. See you in a minute.”
Fifteen minutes later, Donovan knocked softly on the door.
Terrence answered quickly, so as not to awaken Janae. “Come on in.” He gestured Donovan out to the balcony.
Donovan waited until they were outside to speak. “What’s going on? You don’t seem too happy this morning.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I know you. Did something happen between you and Janae?”
Terrence walked over to the rail and shook his head.
“So, I guess you finally realize that you love her.”
He glanced over at his friend.
“Don’t bother to deny it. The question now is, what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m not going to do anything.” He turned back toward the rail.
“What does that mean? I know you’re not talking about breaking things off with her. Terrence,” he pleaded, “don’t do this, man. Janae is a great woman, and she’s good for you.”
“I have to. I can’t see her anymore after today.”
“It’s time to let go of the past. I know you love her.”
“I don’t do love or attachments,” he said with finality. “Don’t we have a meeting to get to?”
Donovan slowly shook his head and followed him back into the room.
Terrence quietly opened the bedroom door to find Janae still sleeping. He pulled on a T-shirt and laced up his tennis shoes. Walking over to the bed, he carefully pushed her hair away from her face, leaned down and breathed a kiss over her lips.
His heart lurched, and he fought back the intense emotions bubbling up in his chest. He closed the door softly behind him.
* * *
When Janae woke up the next morning, she was alone in bed. Terrence had told her that he had a meeting this morning at eight-thirty, but it wasn’t that time yet. Getting up, she winced at the slight soreness in her body. Slipping into one of the robes supplied by the hotel, she left to find him.
As she stepped around the corner to enter the living room, she heard voices coming from the balcony. Her heart froze at the angry words coming from Terrence. Stifling a gasp, she crept quietly back to the bedroom, took off the robe, got back into bed and tried to keep the tears from falling.
The words kept playing in her mind: I can’t see her anymore...I don’t do love or attachments. She berated herself over and over for falling in love with him. She squeezed her eyes closed in an attempt to shut out the pain slicing through her heart. Hearing the door, she willed the tears back and her features placid, then pretended to be asleep. After several minutes, she felt his gentle touch and soft kiss.
Only after she heard the click of the door closing did silent tears stream down her face.
When she was sure he had gone, Janae got up and packed. She had no intentions of being here when he returned. She called the front desk to ask if they could have a taxi for her in twenty minutes. The man she spoke to assured her that one would be waiting. After dressing and making sure she had everything, she left him a note and placed it on his pillow. She reached for the doorknob and noticed the bracelet on her wrist. Turning back, she removed it, ran her fingers lightly over the charms and placed it on top of the note. She put on her sunglasses, picked up the card key and hastily exited.
Janae left the key at the desk and hurried through the lobby with her head lowered, hoping no one from the previous night recognized her. She gasped when someone grabbed her by the arm. She whirled around, and her gaze collided with Terrence’s.
“Janae? Where are you going?” he asked anxiously.
She pulled away from him. “I have to go. I left you a note.”
“A note? Baby, wait.”
He reached for her again, and she slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” she rasped.
Terrence threw up his hands. “What is going on?”
“I heard you this morning, Terrence. That’s what’s going on.” She gritted her teeth and forced back the tears threatening to fall. She would not let this man see her cry.
He sighed deeply. “Janae, let me explain.”
“You’ve already explained.”
“Janae, you don’t understand.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Sweetheart—”
“I understand perfectly. You don’t do love or relationships, right?”
His jaw tightened. “I—”
She cut him off again. “No! Just stay away from me.” She had to leave before she broke down completely. “So much for you not being a playa.” She rushed through the front door, ignoring his plea to come back.
