AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That sounds hopeful.” She knew how long I’d wanted to do the surgery and to have my dad back home.
“Yeah, I’m glad something does.”
We sat a while just visiting and when she left she promised that she would not tell Chance anything if he came by. I planned to call our boss in the early morning and tell him I had to quit, and Lindy had already prepared to take the shift so they wouldn’t be left hanging.
I had handed in my phone and when Rick asked if there was any final message I’d like to give Chance, I’d shaken my head. But now as I sat there I wish I’d told him how I felt and had him pass the message along. In a way, I wanted him to know he’d hurt me, but in another, I didn’t want him to know how much. I also thought that many other messages I could have left, but knew it was not good to sit and think of what should or could have been. I needed to move on with my life and try to make things better for my situation as well as my father’s. He had to be my number one priority and Chance needed to be history.
I hadn’t bothered to take any of the clothes that he’d bought me in Paris, or the dresses that he’d left in the closet. I knew those were things that he’d given the others, and I didn’t want to be anything more like them. If I didn’t need the hundred thousand so badly I’d have thrown it all in his face, but I had more than earned that money.
I soaked in the tub, and got ready for bed, hoping that things would be better once I got through the next day. Maybe in time, I could put Chance behind me, and the memories of him would fade.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - CHANCE
Waiting on Monday to come had been hell, and I had sat in Angelo’s for a few hours Sunday hoping to see her friend Lindy.
I woke up late and cursed, seeing that the diner had opened two hours ago. I needed to check and see if she’d shown up for her morning shift and if not when she might be in.
“Are you heading out again?” Nate sipped his coffee and stared at his phone.
“Yes, and I hope to see her today. I’ll bribe Lindy if I have to just to get a moment with her.”
“That might not be wise; you know how women are protective of one another.”
“I’m sure a five-thousand-dollar tip will buy me what I need, especially when I explain that I’m in love with her.” I was going to march right in and declare that fact the moment I saw her. I’d played it out in my head a thousand times the night and day before. She’d be in that sexy waitress uniform, with her hair in that messy bun, and I’d walk right up and kiss her, or maybe she’d be so excited, we’d run to each other. It seemed like a cheesy love scene in a B movie, but I’d take it.
“You might piss her off. What if she just wants to be left alone? The billionaire status intimidates some people, you know. Some people are not impressed by it, and you already admitted she’s special and not like the others.”
“Thanks for the ounce of hope, friend.” I grabbed my phone off the table where it had charged through the night and then went to my room to grab my shoes.
“I’m not trying to be a downer man, but I just think if she didn’t jump at the chance to talk to you when Rick told her you wanted to, then she might not be so easily won. She’s got a lot on her plate.”
“I know, and I’d like to help her with it. Is that so wrong?”
“Just promise me this, Chance; if you strike out again, this will be the end of the chase?”
“I promise. But I’m not striking out. And it doesn’t count until I see her and she tells me for herself that it’s over.”
“Deal. Good luck, my friend.” He returned to his phone, and I heard the sound of a game loading its obnoxious music as I headed out.
I took off to the diner, hoping that I hadn’t missed an early morning shift change. When I walked in and caught a glimpse of Lindy’s smiling profile as she refilled a customer’s coffee cup, I breathed a sigh of relief. I glanced around, hoping to see Carrie, but she wasn’t there unless she was in the back.
I stood by the door u
ntil Lindy finished tending the table, when she turned around her eyes widened as she saw me.
“If you’re here to see her, she quit. First thing this morning.” She popped her gum and returned the coffee pot to the station as I followed her to the bar.
“I just need to talk to her, Lindy. Could you please help me?”
“What is it, sweetie? Do you think there’s a piece of her heart you left unbroken? Back to finish the job?” She turned and grabbed an order, and I waited until she dropped it on the table and as she made her way past she paused in front of me. “Sit and order or get the hell out.”
I decided to sit and order. A young, red head came across with a pad and pencil and leaned against the table. “Can I get you something?”
“Yes, I want Lindy to wait on me.” I gestured to her, and she turned and shook her head.
“I got him, honey. You can take the couple at four.” She sauntered up and took out her pad. “You look like a hungry man, what can I get you?”
“Carrie’s last name.” I met her stare, and she rolled her eyes.
