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She let out a single note of laughter. “That’s weirdly specific.”
“I didn’t want it to be while you were hungry. No one likes to be surprised when they’re waiting for their food to arrive. So I figured I’d take you to Carmine’s, wine and dine you with a robust red and a nice steak. Then we’d order dessert and I’d put all my cards on the table while waiting for dessert to arrive.”
“Because I wouldn’t want to leave without eating dessert?” She laughed. “Are you serious right now?”
“It was the best I could come up with.” I used a spatula to move the bacon around in the skillet. “I’m not used to apologizing to women.”
“I can tell. Do you usually just try to make the woman feel like she’s the one who was wrong? They teach that in Y-chromosome school, right? Along with how to leave the toilet seat up, piss on the floor, and lie well?”
“Ouch. There’s a lot to unpack there.”
“Okay, let’s hear it, Nash. Or should I call you Rob?”
I groaned. “I’m sorry. I’ll apologize every time you say the name Rob if you want. Say it a thousand times and I’ll apologize a thousand times.”
“It’s not so much the words I want to hear. It’s your explanation.”
I turned down the burner on the stove, my dogs all sitting in front of the stove with expectant looks. We couldn’t have burned bacon. I had the cooking time and temperature down to a science and they knew it.
“The truth is, in the past, when I’ve reached a point where I’ve fucked up with a woman and need to apologize, it’s usually because I just don’t care that much anymore about that casual relationship or where it’s going. I’m over it, so I stop calling every day. Does that make sense? And then we decide to end things because she has expectations I’m unwilling to meet.”
“Have you ever cheated in those situations?”
“No. I’d never cheat. Never.”
She sighs. “I can’t even tell you how shocked I was, Nash.”
“I get that, and I’m so sorry you found out that way. I want you to know that you’re different. I’m not over it—not even close. I don’t want things to end. Whatever your expectations are, I want to meet them.”
Archie gave a little whine, anxious for the bacon to finish cooking.
“Which one was that?” Sariah asked.
“Archie. I’m making bacon and it’s smelling pretty damn good.”
“For the dogs?”
“For all of us. I always eat after games.”
She groaned. “You love those dogs so much and I can’t lie. It’s sexy.”
My heart leaped hopefully. “I also give great oral, as you know.”
“You do.” She exhaled into the phone. “I don’t know if I can forgive you. But I can’t stop thinking about your parents’ anniversary party coming up, and how I said I’d go with you.”
An entire weekend to get back in her good graces was exactly what I needed. I hadn’t planned to go for sure, but if it would help build up any trust with Sariah then I’d go.
“Will you still go?” I asked her, not breathing as I waited for her answer.
She took her sweet time answering, letting me sweat, but she finally said, “I will. But we’re not sleeping together. We’ll be staying in separate rooms. I meant it when I said I don’t know if I can forgive you.”
“I understand.”
“Before I go, can I ask you about something random?”
“Anything.”
“I brought some playoff shirts and hats to the family suite tonight at the game and Drew’s wife, Nina, looked heartbroken. Have you heard if anything is going on with her? I felt so bad. I kind of wanted to go give her a hug but I’ve never even spoken to her, so I ended up leaving.”
Her kindness hit me from every direction.
“Was it toward the end of the game?” I asked.
“Yeah. When we knew the chances of winning were slim and we wanted to make sure everyone had gotten the playoff gear they wanted.”
“This stays between you and me, okay?”
“Of course,” she promised.
“She probably knew it was Drew’s last game ever. I haven’t heard anything for sure, but I imagine he’s going to retire.”
“Oh,” she said softly. “Then yeah, that makes total sense.”
“And it’s not how he wanted to go out.”
“Right.” She paused. “I hope you and the dogs enjoy your bacon.”
“Thanks. I’ll text you our travel plans for the party.”
“Okay, thanks. Can you also let me know how formal the party is going to be so I can pack the right clothes?”
“You got it.”
“Thanks, Rob.”
I grinned, amused by her sarcasm and her fire. “I’m sorry.”
“Good night.”
“Night, Sariah.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sariah
* * *
Nash picked me up early the following Saturday morning. I’d originally said I would meet him at the airport, but that was my stubbornness costing me money. There was no reason for me to drive to the airport and park for the weekend, or even take an Uber both ways, simply because I didn’t want Nash to think I’d forgiven him. Hell, I was going to have to spend the weekend with him, so if I’d agreed to go, I needed to behave like an adult. An adult who hadn’t had her heart stomped on.
