Sunday (Timeless Series #7) (9 page)

For a moment I couldn’t move. This kind of pain has never wrecked my body before. I felt sick—really sick. I questioned everything, wondering what we really had. Did I make up the whole thing?

Kyle finally looked up. “Rose? You all right?”

“Yeah…” I snapped out of it and grabbed the folder. “I’m fine.” I grabbed the corner and the papers fell across the ground, making a mess.

Kyle didn’t get up.

I ducked down and gathered everything, grateful I could hide my face for a moment. Now all the papers were out of order but at least they were all inside. I was a clumsy fool letting my emotions get the best of me.

I held the folder against my chest so I wouldn’t drop them again. “Well, I’ll see you around…” I kept my head bowed and turned to the door.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked. “Because you look paler than a ghost.”

“I’m fine. Just remembered I have a meeting in my office right now.”

“Alright. See you later.” He turned to his computer and didn’t even notice my absence.

The Plan

Kyle

I walked into the bakery and met Francesca in the cake kitchen. “What the hell are you making?” It was a cake covered with nude figures. The women had noticeable breasts, and the men had their junk dangling between their legs.

“It’s a cake.” She set the last figurine on the tier.

“I figured that out. But what’s with the naked people?”

“This couple met on a nude beach in Barcelona.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And they want people to know that…?”

She shrugged. “Whatever. It’s their day.”

I couldn’t imagine my mom eating a piece of my wedding cake if it looked like that.

Francesca removed her apron and washed her hands. “How’s the plan going?”

“I have no goddamn idea.” This was blowing up in my face. All I wanted was to get her back, but all I’d succeeded in doing was pushing her further away. “She came by my office yesterday and saw me kiss one of my pretty clients on the cheek. She was really flustered after that, dropping everything and being quiet.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

I shrugged then fell into the chair at the table. “I don’t know. It seemed like it bothered her, but not bothered her enough to want me back. I don’t get it…what do I have to do?” I was running out of options. “She said something about coming to my apartment the other night but I have no idea what she’s talking about.”

“When did this happen?”

“Last week, I think.”

“Were you not home?”

“She said I was. But I don’t remember the conversation.”

She grabbed a few muffins then set them on the table before she sat down. “How can you not remember it? Unless you were drunk.”

“Well…last week I went out with Will. I got pretty wasted.”

“Oh no.”

“Maybe that’s what she’s referring to.” I had no idea what I might have said. I was temperamental and angry at the time, but I must not have said anything too bad because she was still designing the house. “I don’t know what to do, Frankie. I think I give up.”

“You can’t give up, Kyle.”

“Maybe I love her. Maybe I’m supposed to be with her. But those things don’t mean anything if she doesn’t feel the same way.”

“Give it time.”

“I’ve given it plenty of time,” I said with a sigh. “I’ve been cold to her and I’ve acted like I’m seeing other women. I’ve done everything necessary to make it seem like she doesn’t mean anything to me. What else can I do?”

Francesca remained silent because she was stumped.

“There’s nothing else.” I didn’t mind chasing the girl. It was the most thrilling part. But this was just sad. “I give up.”

Francesca didn’t object.

“I know relationships aren’t perfect, but this is the opposite extreme. I can’t make her be with me, and I’m not going to keep wasting time trying to convince her to be with me. So…I’m done.” The finality of the words hit me hard in the chest. I was closing one chapter of my life and moving onto the next. “Done.”

Francesca gave me a sad look. “Kyle…”

“I just want a nice girl who loves me. That’s it. Who knew that would be so hard to find...?”

“It’s not. You’ll find the right person eventually. I promise.”

“You can’t make a promise like that…”

She placed her hand over mine. “Actually, I can.”

Stopping By

Rose

I stayed home for the next few days, eating everything in my kitchen until there wasn’t anything edible left. Only the expired products remained behind, and I wasn’t that desperate—yet.

I spent most of my time on the couch because I hated my bed. Kyle used to sleep in there with me. Without him beside me there was no point in being in there. It was just a reminder that he was gone.

Even if I wanted him back it was too late. He’d moved on with his life. I couldn’t blame him for it. Our relationship was complicated, to say the least, but he was a good guy throughout the duration. Whoever ended up with him would be a very lucky woman.

And that woman wouldn’t be me.

The problems of our past still bothered me, but I couldn’t deny that I lost a great man. He was the first person that made me believe in happiness again. Now that he was gone, that joy disappeared.

Pieces of stale popcorn were sprinkled all over the couch, and some were stuck underneath the cushions. The scent of butter was in the air, and since I hadn’t cleaned in so long the place was starting to smell like a cafeteria.

Someone knocked on my door.

I immediately hoped it was Kyle. No one else ever stopped by my place. If anyone wanted to see me, they texted. I was in sweats and a t-shirt, not my finest attire. Now I hoped it wouldn’t be Kyle.

When I looked through the peephole I saw a brunette woman standing there. She had long hair pulled into a braid over one shoulder. Her skin was fair, as vibrant as a porcelain doll. I didn’t recognize her at all. But I recognized the man she was with. It was Hawke.

I opened the door and crossed my arms over my chest like that would make my clothing less hideous. “Hi…what’s going on?” How did Hawke know where I lived? I couldn’t recall mentioning it.

“Hey,” Hawke said. “This isn’t a bad time, right?”

“Depends. What’s up?”

The woman had her eyes trained on me. “May we come in?”

“I guess.” I stepped aside and allowed them to walk in.

“This is my wife, Francesca,” Hawke said.

“Oh.” I should have assumed. “It’s nice to meet you.” I quickly shook her hand, feeling self-conscious for having my hair in a messy bun.

“You too,” she said politely.

Hawke had his arm around her waist. His large hand made her look smaller in comparison. “How are you?”

“Good,” I lied. “Just taking the day off…” Why didn’t he go to my office? Why did he come here? “How’s your little one?”

“She’s perfect.” Francesca’s voice immediately changed from serious to happy. “She’s staying with her aunt right now.”

“Cool,” I said. “So, how can I help you?”

Hawke eyed Francesca, yielding the floor to her.

“I came here to talk about Kyle.” She stepped away from Hawke’s embrace and came closer to me.

“Kyle?” His name hurt on the way out.

“Yeah. Can we sit down?”

How did she know him? Through Hawke?
“Sure…”

We sat down in the living room and Hawke stayed in the kitchen. He sat down and pulled out his phone, busying himself with correspondence. Why was he staying there while Francesca talked alone? I didn’t even know her.

“I’ve known Kyle for a long time,” she began. “And I can honestly say he’s one of the most caring, compassionate, and gentle men I’ve ever known in my life. If he’s done something to hurt you, I can promise you it wasn’t on purpose.”

I didn’t expect her to say any of that. “I don’t understand where this is coming from…”

“Kyle has been going through a hard time, and he’s come to us for support. Having you work on my husband’s new office was just a rouse to get you to spend time with him. But when Kyle realized this was only pushing you further apart, he lost hope. Now he doesn’t have any belief in the two of you.”

Everything was set up? Hawke didn’t need an office at all?

Francesca read my thoughts through my eyes. “Hawke needs the office regardless. Kyle just asked him to hire you and keep him as a consultant. So, he misled you but not entirely.”

I didn’t know what to make of this. It was a trick and I walked right into it.

“The truth is, Kyle is absolutely miserable without you. And I know you’re miserable without him.”

I bowed my head in acknowledgment.

“I understand why you’re hurt after everything that happened. Kyle lied to you and withheld important information. But it was never for malicious intent. It was a delicate situation and he didn’t know how to handle it. There’s no possible way you could think of him as a liar and a manipulator. Just look at what he does for a living. He represents victims who can’t represent themselves.”

I knew he was a great person. That was never the problem.

“Give him another chance before it’s too late.”

“I don’t understand why you’re the one to tell me all of this. I’m sorry, but I don’t know you.”

“Well…” She glanced at her husband before she turned back to me. “Kyle and I were together for about a year.”

She dated him? I couldn’t keep the shock off my face.

“And he was the most amazing man. He treated me like a queen every single day. If I hadn’t already found my one true love, I would have married Kyle. So, of all people, I understand how great he is. And frankly, if you don’t get this together soon you’re going to lose your chance forever. Guys like Kyle aren’t as common as you think. They’re rare—unheard of. If you love this man and want to be with him, don’t waste anymore time. Tell him how you feel.”

A part of me was jealous that she’d been with the man I loved, but then I realized that jealousy was misplaced when I saw her with Hawke. Everything she said was the truth. Kyle was the greatest man I’d ever find, and it was stupid to let him slip through my fingers. “He doesn’t feel the same way anymore…he’s indifferent to me.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is. You haven’t seen him with me. I came to his apartment a few weeks ago to talk about our relationship, and he told me to get out of his life before he shut the door in my face.”

Recognition came onto her face. “He was drunk and not himself at the time. I can promise you, if you ask for another chance he’ll give it to you. But that offer won’t last forever so you need to get on it.”

I looked down at my hands in my lap.

Francesca continued to stare at me. “I know you’ve been through a lot but pushing away the man who’s been nothing but loyal to you isn’t the answer. It’s normal to be scared, but it’s not normal to be a coward. Make this work and don’t lose him.”

My heart was quickening and my palms were growing sweaty.

“If you don’t want him, someone else will snatch him. If you don’t want that to happen then you need to speak to him. Everything is on the line here.”

I couldn’t forget my last interaction with him. He was so cold—chilling. “Are you sure?”

“Sure of what?”

“Sure that he even wants that…” He kissed some woman on the cheek, flirted with another one in that coffee shop, and then acted as if I didn’t matter to him.

“Rose, I’m absolutely sure. Talk to him.”

I was still on the fence.

“I know you don’t know me, but trust me on this. Go to him and tell him how you feel. The conversation might be strenuous at first, but you guys will make it through. All he wants is for the two of you to get back together.”

“I don’t understand why he wants me so much…” I knew why I wanted him—because he was perfect. But I was damaged goods.

“You do, Rose.” She gave me a knowing look.  “You do.”

***

After I showered and removed the bits of popcorn from my hair, I showed up on his doorstep. It wasn’t nine just yet, but in just a few minutes it would be. I stared at his door as I had a hundred times already. Last time I was here the conversation didn’t go over well.

Hopefully, that wouldn’t happen again.

I knocked on the door then swallowed the lump in my throat.

Nothing but silence ensued inside. I waited for something to happen, for the sound of moving footsteps, but they never came. Even though it was clear he wasn’t home I stayed on the doorstep. I could call him but I didn’t want to have this conversation on the phone. I could wait until he came home but how long would I be standing outside?

“I was impressed when you caught the piece of shrimp in your mouth.” A woman’s voice drifted from the end of the hallway.

“Well, I practice.” Kyle chuckled at his own comment.

“I had a great time tonight.” When they rounded the corner they were holding hands. It was a pretty blonde girl with heels I could never pull off. She was close to his side, invading every inch of his personal space.

I felt sick to my stomach.

I wanted to run and hide but there was nowhere for me to go. On my side there was a dead-end. The only way out was to pass by them, but there was no way I could do that without being seen.

“I had a great time too.” Kyle guided her to his door then stopped when he spotted me standing outside. He couldn’t hide the surprise stretching across his face. His eyes were full of confusion, and he looked awkward and out of place.

I remained rooted to the spot, wishing I would just die in that moment.

His date eyed us back and forth, unsure what was going on.

“Rose…what are you doing here?” Kyle dropped her hand and took a step away from her.

“I…” I eyed the woman with him, so painfully beautiful it made me look plain in comparison, and then I felt the fear grip me by the throat. I couldn’t say what I came here to say. Now it was too difficult—impossible. I missed my chance. “I came here to tell you I need more time with the design.” It was the lamest excuse ever but it was all I could think of at the moment.

“Okay…” He glanced at his date then turned back to me.

“But I’ll get it done as soon as I can…have a good night.” I pushed past the girl and headed down the hallway, trying to get away from both of them as quickly as possible. I rounded the corner then leaned against the wall, feeling the tears burn deep in my eyes. Seeing him with someone else, officially moved on, was the most painful thing I’ve ever seen.

“So…who was that?” the woman asked.

Kyle’s voice was still shaken. “You remember that woman I told you about?”

“Rose? The woman you’re still in love with?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh…does she normally stop by like that?”

“No. I’m not sure what that was about.”

After a long pause she said, “Well…should we go inside?”’

“Yeah, of course.” Kyle fished his keys out of his pocket and got the door unlocked.

I remained against the wall, processing everything I just heard. Kyle was still in love with me, but he was seeing other people. He was trying to get over me, to forget about me forever. There was still hope we could find our way back to each other—but only if I acted now. If he slept with her it would break my heart so irrevocably it could never be put back together. I couldn’t stand the sight of him just holding her hand, let alone anything else.

I had to do something—even though I was terrified to do it.

I walked back to his apartment, feeling the thud of every footstep. My heart was lodged deep in my throat and my lungs weren’t working correctly. I felt a stomachache come on from all the stress.

I stopped in front of his door and tried to breathe.

I had to do this
.

I could do this.

It was now or never.

I knocked and took a step back.

The woman’s voice came from inside. “Do you want me to get that?”

“I got it.” Kyle’s footsteps approached the door.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.

He opened it, and judging the look on his face he didn’t expect to see me. “Rose?”

My hands were locked together in front of my waist so they would stop shaking. My chest ached painfully from my rapid breathing. The tears were still present, buried deep beneath. “I’m sorry to bother you…”

Kyle stared at me, confused as ever.

I didn’t know where to start or what to say, so I just said whatever came to mind. “I want to get back together. I don’t want you to be with anyone else. I’m sorry I broke up with you in the first place. It was stupid and unfair. I was just scared and not thinking clearly. I’m sorry I took so long to tell you but I’m telling you now. If there’s any hope for us…give me a chance.”

That same look didn’t leave his face. Now he wasn’t just confused, but surprised.

Was Francesca wrong when she said he would take me back? Did she make an assumption she shouldn’t have made? Even if she told me otherwise, I’d probably still be standing here. If there were any hope for us I’d have to try. I didn’t want him to spend the night with this woman. The thought would give me eternal nightmares.

Kyle still didn’t speak, his hand still resting on the door.

“Please tell me I’m not too late.” Was he over me? Had he moved on? Was I the last person he thought about?