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Barrett chuckles, probably imagining Halima busting her husband’s balls.
“She lives in Manchester. Actually, we moved here together,” I add.
He nods with interest.
“How long ago was that?”
“Going on two years, now. We did our Masters at the London Business School, found jobs.” I mark a pause before adding, “and Halima got herself a Brit hubby.”
Barrett watches me closely from under his thick eyelashes. His warm brown gaze enveloping me like a caress.
“And you haven’t?”
I smile and shake my head. “Barrett, if I had a husband, I don’t think you and I would share a meal alone.”
“No?” He asks, quirking a sexy, thick, arched brow.
“I would have invited you over, made dinner, and you would have spent the evening chatting with my husband.”
“Sounds like a lot less fun,” he croons in a low voice, his intense gaze enrapturing me.
“I have someone, though,” I blurt out, using Reda to break the spell.
“Oh,” Barrett utters, his brows coming together in a furrow. And goddammit, even that’s sexy. “You live together?” He asks bluntly.
“Uh, no. But he’s serious about us.”
“I see,” He states, his expression still fiery. “Areyou?”
My mouth falls open at his intrusive question. I can’t reconcile this assertive man with the quiet, reserved boy I grew up knowing. Such assurance in his speech, such confidence in his demeanor! Barrett has truly grown into his full potential as a man.
When he texted me our meeting time, he insisted on getting my address so he could pick me up. We drove in an amicable back and forth of questions about our families, the people we knew in common from back home, and what our lives were like now.
Barrett is a senior analyst at a financial firm and seems to love his work, his apartment, and all around his life in the UK. He didn’t mention a woman, but handsome as he is and with his newfound brazenness, I doubt he lacks feminine attention. He doesn’t give me player vibes, but there’s definitely a hint of cockiness in that tall, built, sexy form.
So far, I loved our easy banter. Till the delicate subject of the status of my relationship with Reda came up.
I sigh loudly, pushing back my impulse to tell Barrett off, then admit honestly, “I don’t see myself with him in the long term.”
“Does he know that?” He pushes.
I shake my head, lifting my gaze to meet his fierce stare.
“Is there a reason you haven’t told him?”
This man will not give me any reprieve!
“I guess I don’t want to hurt him?” I say, more like a question than a firm statement. “And I was giving things time, you know. See if maybe my feelings would change?” I admit to both Barrett and myself.
For the first time, allowing myself to be entirely honest about my true feelings for Reda.
Barrett nods solemnly before adding in a firm, almost commanding tone, “you need to tell him.”
“I know.” Is my quiet response. “I will,” I add with a small smile.
Already dreading the conversation that can only hurt the ego, if not the feelings of a good man.
“It’s for the best.” He insists.
