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“I can understand that,” he says. “Feeling better?”
I nod. “Much.”
He gestures back toward the dining room that looks mostly the same as I’d left it minutes earlier. I immediately see that Linc’s and Cole’s chairs are both still empty. I do my best not to stare at Cole’s empty chair as I take my seat. Looking up, I can see Piper eyeing me with concern, but I wave it away with a smile. I’m not sure she buys it, but she gives me an answering smile before going back to her dessert. I pick up my own fork, prepared to pretend to enjoy my tiramisu, but I’ve lost my appetite.
I try to focus on the chatter around me, joining in conversations when appropriate, but my gaze keeps straying to Cole’s empty chair on the other side of the table. Where is he? He should have been back by now. I covertly glance down the table toward Harlow and see that Linc is back in his seat beside her. He meets my gaze with one raised eyebrow. Unsure what his expression is meant to convey, I give him a tentative smile. Before I can decipher Linc’s strange expression further, I feel Michael’s hand on my arm. I find myself slightly annoyed by the interruption, but I force a smile onto my face as I turn back to face him.
He leans in close to my ear. “Would you like to take a walk after dinner? I heard the grounds are lovely.”
They are lovely. I’m the one who told him that. They’re beautiful. During the day. At night, they’re just darkened pathways barely lit by dim lights. You can’t see any of the gorgeous flowers at night and there will be no butterflies or hummingbirds darting around. There’s not much point to going for a walk out there at night. Unless he’s inviting me on a walk as a romantic gesture. Is that what he’s doing? I almost heave an exasperated sigh.
It would be a sweet gesture if I were interested in him that way. Earlier tonight, I’d thought for sure I was. But that was before I’d seen that look in Cole’s eyes. Before the balcony. Now? Now, I don’t know what I feel. But I know that whatever it is, it’s not about Michael. As guilty as I feel about that, I know I’d feel even worse if I led him on. I need to end things with him. As soon as possible.
“That’s a good idea,” I say. “It’ll give us time alone to talk.”
He smiles. “Exactly.”
When dinner finally ends and everyone splits up to go their separate ways, I follow Michael out into the gardens. They’re dark, as I’d expected them to be. I hope he isn’t bringing me out here for some kind of sexy make-out session. I’m not in the mood for that tonight, even if the thought of kissing Michael didn’t feel totally wrong right now.
He reaches out to take my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. I look down at our joined hands. Even this feels wrong. I glance over at the man walking beside me, guilt rushing through me. I might be confused when it comes to what I feel for Cole, but I know one thing for certain. I don’t feel anything for Michael. It’s not fair for me to keep stringing him along this way.
My steps slow to a halt and he turns to give me a curious look.
“Everything okay?”
I sigh. “Yes. And no. I don’t know.”
He smiles, but there’s confusion in his eyes. Not that I blame him. I’m being as clear as mud right now.
“We need to talk,” I say.
He nods. “Okay.”
“You’re a great guy,” I say, trying to let him down easy. “But I think maybe we should put this on pause for a little while.”
He looks confused as I untangle my fingers from his.
“I just don’t think I’m in the right place to be dating anyone right now,” I say, falling back on a classic breakup excuse I used in college. “I thought I was, but I don’t think I am. My life is a little stressful and I have a lot going on with work.”
Michael turns to me, a faint smile on his lips. “I understand,” he says.
I blink in surprise. “You do?”
He nods. “Of course. Layna, I like you. But we’ve only been dating for a few weeks. It’s not that serious. But if you change your mind, you know where I’ll be.”
I nod. “I do. Thank you for being so nice about this.”
He lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “No point in being an ass about it.”
“You’d be surprised how many people don’t feel that way.”
We make our way back inside and walk together through the lobby. I expect him to leave me at the elevator on his way to the exit, but he lingers there beside me as I wait. The silence between us is slightly awkward. Finally, I smile at him.
“I hope you had a nice night,” I say. “Before the walk, I mean.”
He nods. “I did.”
He holds out his arms for a hug and relief goes through me. He’s finally getting the hint that I’m ready for him to leave. His arms come around me and I give his back a couple of friendly pats, wondering why this hug seems to be going on for far too long. I pat his back once more, hoping he’ll get the hint. Finally, he releases me and slowly eases away.
