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It wasn’t real!
She didn’t want him, and he needed to move the fuck on. Turning her down and not caving when he noticed her lip tremble was a big step in the right direction.
He just proved he could do this.
Life goes on.
Chapter Sixty
Dakota
Her steps slowed when she approached the open door. Doubt crept through her body as she looked down at the cellophane-covered plate. Bringing Aiden a slice of cherry pie had seemed like a good idea, but now that she was actually outside his office, she wondered if he might not appreciate her ignoring his declination for the dessert.
She’d told herself, “Message received,” when he’d been in her dad’s room, but then she spent the afternoon thinking about it, and decided she still needed to apologize.
And what better way than with dessert?
Pulling her shoulders back, she took a deep breath and advanced to the open door next to the placard that read, “Dr. Aiden Matthews, Cardiology”.
“Special delivery!” she called out with a big smile.
He drew his attention from the computer monitor on his desk to where she stood at the threshold. Instead of returning her smile, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
That’s not a good sign.
“What are you doing here, Dakota?”
She refused to let her smile waver as she stepped inside and brightly replied, “Well, I thought since you didn’t have time for pie, I’d bring the pie to you.” Taking the remaining steps until she was in front of his desk, she held out the plate. “It’s your favorite, cherry.”
A polite smile crossed his lips when he reached for the pie. “Thank you.”
Not waiting for an invitation, she sank into the chair opposite him. “It’s the least I could do.”
“Like I told your mom, it’s not necessary. It’s my job.”
“I know, but your Valentine’s Day plans were ruined.”
She was hoping he’d tell her it wasn’t a big deal. Give her a sign he hadn’t already moved on, that there was still hope for them. Then she’d apologize, he’d accept it, and they could get back together.
Instead, he shrugged and said, “I’m making it up to her tonight.” He then glanced at his watch. “Which means, I need to finish this report so I can get out of here on time.”
He was dismissing her, so he could make his date on time.
She almost lost her nerve and was going to stand to leave, but a little voice urged, “Tell him!”
“Um, there’s another reason I brought the pie. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Is it about your dad?”
“No, well—kind of.”
His mouth was set in a grim line as he waited for her to continue.
“Remember when I told you about my visions of you breaking my heart?”
“Yeah, I remember,” he bit out. “Even though I’d done nothing to suggest anything of the sort.”
“Well, I need to apologize.”
