AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s terrible that she had to endure that. I suppose the divorce has something to do with her hesitance to trust men?” I say aloud, but mostly to myself, but Sarah hears me.
She turns to look me in the eyes, and I can see the truth there. “That’s exactly where her trust issues come from. Miles, she’s been through a lot. I talked to her this morning about it. I told her that you were worth the risk, to throw the doubts out of her mind, and let herself fall. I said that because I trust that you feel the same way about her that she does about you. Please don’t hurt her,” she mumbles softly. I put my hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eyes, so she can see the truth that I am about to say. “Sarah, I feel the same way. I’m falling for her. I know in my soul that she is the one. I won’t do anything to lose her. I can't.”
She gives me a smile. “That’s all I wanted to hear. Now, send me the details for the spa and the gala, so I can start planning. And I guess I will see you soon.”
“I’ll send it all as soon as I get the details. Thank you again for coming out today and thank you for the talk. You are a good friend to her. I’m happy she has you.” We hug and part ways.
Thomas picks me up, putting the items from the boutique in the trunk, and then drives me to Tiffany’s. I really want to find something special. Something that makes me think of Elizabeth. She isn’t ordinary, so the jewelry needs to be one of a kind. Once we arrive, Thomas comes around to open my door with a wide smile on his face. He’s never brought me here, and so, he knows this woman is special. I have never bought a woman I’ve dated a piece of jewelry, so this is all new to me. As I get out of the car, I say, “Thank you, Thomas. I’m not sure how long I will be. Would you like to come in and help me look? You have a wife. This is all very new to me.”
He chuckles and responds, “It would be an honor, sir.”
Chapter 15
Elizabeth
As I’m walking down the busy streets of New York, my phone begins to ring in my purse. My mom’s name appears on the screen, and I take a deep breath, then answer it. I haven’t spoken to her in over a week, which is out of the norm for me. “Hey momma,” I greet, answering the phone.
“Hey, baby, I haven’t talked to you in a while. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing pretty well. I have just been really busy lately. What are you doing?” I ask before she can question me about what I have been busy with. I’m not ready to tell her about Miles. I don’t know if I would have the answers to the inevitable questions she’ll ask.
“I just sent out your package for your birthday. I hope it gets there in time. It should because I paid for express shipping. I haven’t been able to get to the post office sooner. Sorry, baby. So, what have you been so busy with that you couldn’t call your own mother?” I grimace because I knew she wouldn’t let me get away without giving her some details.
“I actually have been doing quite a lot of writing when I’ve not been working. I got some much-needed motivation, and the book is finally taking shape in my mind as well as on my computer.”
“That’s great, Lizzie. I know you have been trying to getthat off the ground for a while now. How is the weather? Has it snowed yet? I always check your weather, but it’s not always reliable.”
?I sigh in relief that she doesn’t ask me about my new motivation. “It hasn’t snowed yet, but it sure is cold. The other day it wasn’t too chilly, but once I finished my shift at the restaurant, it was freezing. It goes back and forth. I’m sure the snow will come any day now, though.”
“I can’t see how you stand that cold weather. We like it down here in the south where there is hardly ever any snow. So, since you didn’t come home for Thanksgiving, are you coming for Christmas?”
“I’m planning on it. I’ve already asked for a few days off, but it won’t be a whole week like last year. I’ll just come in and spend the holiday with you. Will William be in town?”
“Yes, he and his family will be here for Christmas Eve, and then at your father’s home for Christmas.”
I scoff. Yeah, I won’t be going to see my father while I’m home; that’s for sure. “Hmm, okay, well I need to get going. I will let you know what the dates are for sure when I know. Love you, mom.”
?“Hang on sweetie. William wants to know if you will go with him to see your father while you’re in town. Apparently, he’s been asking William to get a hold of you to invite you over. He hasn't been feeling well lately.” A pit forms in my stomach at the thought of my father and his possibly being sick.
“Well, father has my number. But you can tell William that I will not be going with them. I’m just coming into town to see you.”
"I really think you should go and see him, Lizzie. He misses you. You are still his daughter after all."
I am not liking the way this conversation is going. I don’t understand why my mother, of all people, would be pushing me to see that man after everything he did to her and to us. I still can’t believe William has a relationship with him. Am I the only one that can see him for what he really is? A liar, cheater, abandoner.
“We both know good and well that if your father did call you, that you wouldn’t answer. That’s not even a good excuse. But, anyways, we can talk about it later. I just want you to think about it, okay? Love you, honey. Have a good day,” she chirps, as she disconnects the call. I pocket my phone and pull my coat tighter around myself, trying not to shiver.
Thankfully, the coffee shop is just around the corner. I can get out of this wind. As I approach the shop, I begin to walk a bit faster, so I can get inside. I open the doors and the aroma has my mouth watering. The shop’s not busy, which I’m grateful for. Walking up to the counter, I order my usual under the name “Bronte.” The barista smiles and winks at me, knowing that I always change up my name when I come here. As she prints the name on my cup, I stroll over to the sitting area and plop down in one of the overstuffed chairs. While I’m waiting, I pull out my phone, open the notes app, and type some things that have been on my mind for my novel. If I don’t make notes somewhere, I will definitely forget my ideas when I get in front of my computer.
Once my name is called, I retrieve my drink and walk back to the chair to sit down. I have a little bit of time to sit and relax before I have to be at the bookstore. As I take the first sip, I close my eyes as the warmth slides down my throat and into my tummy. There is something about the first sip that isn’t quite like the rest. I set my cup down and look around the shop. I haven’t been here since last week when I ran into Miles. So much can change in the span of a week. Smiling to myself, I remember the way he looked down at me when we grabbed thecoffee at the same time. The world around us ceased to exist, and we were the only two people in this tiny shop. My phone beeps in my hand, effectively taking me out of my daydream. My heart flutters in my chest when I see the message from him.
Miles:Just letting you know that I’m thinking of you. Xo
Lizzie:I came into “our” coffee shop to get out of the cold. I was just thinking about when we met last week.
Miles:Just knowing you are so close to me right now, makes me want to blow off my next meeting and come to you.
Lizzie:Well, I have to be at the bookstore soon anyway. But I wouldn’t mind running into you again here soon.
