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However, three days after I decided we needed space to think about our relationship, I saw her at a restaurant. I had planned to meet my brothers for an early dinner. When I walked in, I spotted her at a table toward the back of the room. Though the lights were dim, I would recognize her anywhere.
I almost turned to leave, afraid she’d see me. But then my eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, and I could make out a second person with her. Though the person was in the shadows, I could see it was a man. And that he was holding her hand. Their heads were bent toward each other, and they looked to be in a serious conversation. I saw him reach up and put a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She lifted her face toward his hand and smiled.
A myriad of emotions went through me.
Hurt.
Confusion.
Anger.
How could she do this to me?
This is precisely the situation that I was trying to avoid. Talk about not learning from past mistakes. Three days ago, she told me she wanted more.She wanted a relationship withme. And now she’s holding hands withanotherman. Who knows what else they’ve been doing or how long it’s been going on? It’s almost enough to make me sick.
You know what they say. Fool me once, fool me twice. Yep, I was the idiot. And shame on me for trusting her. She was no better than my cheating fiancée all those years ago.
So, I ran. That night, I packed a small bag, and I left. I grabbed the first flight out of JFK, and thankfully, it was headed straight to Colorado. The thought of running into her again was too painful.
But now I’m back. If I’m smart and strategic enough, I won’t run into her while I’m in town. I will do what my brother wants me to do. I’ll attend the stupid meetings and sign whatever papers he needs me to sign. But I’ll be damned if I stay in Manhattan any longer than necessary.
My plan is to continue to work remotely, and I will arrange everything so I don’t have to come back to the city for a while. Although I have been doing my job from afar, I want to ensure that no one feels I am neglecting my responsibilities or my family.
But one thing is for certain. I won’t be staying in New York.
Chapter 2
Liz
Summer came early to New York this year. The oppressive heat brings about another wave of nausea as I breathe in the unfresh scent of steamy subway air below my feet. However, I have to ask myself, is the heat making me feel nauseated, or is my huge, pregnant belly making me feel like I want to barf? Though morning sickness is now a thing of the past, every once in a while, I just don’t feel well.
I should take the company’s car service more often. However, I fully admit I’m stubborn. I’d rather suffer walking a mile in my six-inch heels than admit to having a weakness that being pregnant has caused. If a nonpregnant woman can walk it, then so can I.
Ignoring the pangs in my lower stomach and the blister on my right heel, I finish the walk from the subway to the office building where I work. I take a moment to catch my breath and look up at the tall, impressive building. I raise my hand to my head. I check my bun to smooth any errant hairs that may have dared to escape during the seemingly endlessjourney to the office. Satisfied everything is in place, I continue moving up the stairs to the front of the building.
After working for Jake Anders at the Anders Group for the last four years, I recently accepted a new position as a paralegal in their legal department. The move from being Jake’s executive assistant to paralegal was good. Though I loved working for Jake, the business trips and long hours wouldn’t have been conducive to raising a baby. And I love my new job. My college degree is in legal studies, so it’s nice to be using my degree. Plus, I’ve always been passionate about law.
The pregnancy has brought about some challenges, and I’ve had to work extra hard so it doesn’t interfere with my new position. Unfortunately, I have had to take a few sick days and either come in late or leave early for doctor’s appointments. I had a doctor’s appointment this morning, and unfortunately, it ran late. So now I am walking back to the office, and if my feet didn’t already hurt, I’d be tempted to pick up the pace. I hate starting my day late.
As I walk into the building, my phone buzzes. I inwardly cringe when I realize I have a text message from my assistant, Blair.
Blair
Another crisis. I hope you are almost at the office. Need the legal documents you were working on yesterday.
I gave those to you yesterday afternoon. You were supposed to deliver them to Jake.
Oh, shoot. Really? Do you remember what I did with them?
When I get to the bank of elevators, I resist the urge to bang my head on the wall as I wait impatiently for an elevator to arrive. Blair is literally the worst assistant ever. I don’t know how she’s managed to keep her job this long. I’m typing out my response to Blair as I hear the elevator ding its arrival. Without looking up from my phone, I step in. At the same time, the man inside the elevator steps out and brushes into me, nearly knocking me off balance.
My eyes don’t leave my phone as I grab the side of the elevator door for balance. “Hey, watch out,” I say automatically, though it was clearly my fault for not paying attention.
Not bothering to look up, I continue typing my text to Blair.
I’m so engrossed in my task that I don’t notice the man holding the elevator doors from closing. “Liz?”
My eyes shoot up in shock. Even though it’s been months since I’d seen him, I instantly recognize his voice. I would know that low, rumbly sound anywhere.
