I was worried if I called, Sean wouldn’t see me face to face, and talking directly felt like the best way to see if any feelings were there. It wasn’t too late, so maybe he’d come out.
Thankfully, my guess was correct, but Sean was coming home, not going out. I stood up when I saw him. However, it took him a few more moments to see me. He was clearly surprised.
“Chloe! What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping we could talk?”
Sean looked me up and down. He seemed wary, but he also didn’t dismiss me. “Let’s go inside. We’ll have some privacy in the lobby.”
Sean led me into the building and steered me off to the side. Seeing him again made all my feelings come rushing back, and my anxiety spiked.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“Well, I wanted to tell you that I still want to be with you. And it’s not because of your money or lifestyle. I’ve been thinking about this for the past few months, so it’s not impulsive. I just… I want to try, Sean.”
Sean looked at me quietly. His arms were crossed over his chest, and I could see him thinking. “Chloe,” he sighed. The way he said my name did not inspire confidence in me. “There are just so many… obstacles. I do like you, but it takes more than that to make a relationship work. Could we really overcome it all?”
I looked into Sean’s eyes. His voice was firm and resolute, but I could see some uncertainty in his eyes as well.
“So, that’s how you really feel? A relationship between the two of us is impossible?”
“Impossible might be too harsh of a word, but I just don’t think it would work out, so maybe it’s best to just keep ourselves from that heartbreak.”
While I could sense Sean’s uncertainty in his words, I could also tell that I wasn’t going to change his mind. He was probably just doing what he felt was right for both of us. And if he thought that way, well, I couldn’t force it.
“I understand. Thanks for listening.” I left, ready to finally move on.
Chapter Thirteen – Sean
I was preoccupied with Chloe’s strange visit for the rest of the week. I needed to talk to someone about it, so I decided to visit my grandmother that weekend. The moment I walked through the door, Nana Lucy was on me.
“You are making a huge mistake, Sean Falls.”
“Woah, woah. What are you talking about?” I had an inkling she was talking about Chloe, but I just wanted to be sure.
“Chloe! Who else? You clearly love that girl. So why are you giving up on her?”
I sighed and walked around my grandmother into the house. “It’s not that simple.”
“Then explain it to me.”
“Chloe’s not ready for a real relationship with me. She’s just attracted to the newness of it all. I don’t want to be a novelty, grandmother. But, there’s something about her. She gets to me in a way no other woman ever has, and if she changed her mind… I don’t know if I could withstand that.” The thought of it – I could feel the pain in my heart already. “She could break my heart so easily, and I’m not confident enough that she really wants to be with me. It’s better to keep it safe. It’s how I got where I am, and it’s how I’ll get where I’m going.”
I looked over at my grandmother and could she was disappointed.
“I thought you’d take the leap, Sean. I’m sad to hear you won’t let yourself have faith.”
“I don’t have it in me to be destroyed by love. If things went sour with us… I don’t know.”
My grandmother nodded, seemingly accepting my answer. “That’s your business, what you do with your love life. Do whatever you want to protect your heart, but you also have to care for your child. It’s your responsibility just as much as it’s Chloe’s.”
Child?
“What are you talking about?”
My grandmother narrows her eyes at me. “Your child, Sean. You are going to take care of them, right?”
“Are you saying Chloe’s pregnant?”
Lucy rolled her eyes, frustrated. “Yes, she’s pregnant. Did you not see her very pregnant belly when she came to talk to you?”
“No!”
I thought back to her visit. I paused, remembering what she was wearing.
“She had on this huge coat….” Was she trying to hide it from me? “She didn’t say anything. We talked about our relationship, and when I said it wouldn’t work out, she left.”
Why didn’t she tell me? It’s been six months, and she hasn’t reached out once, and when she does, she doesn’t tell me she’s pregnant. Is the baby mine?
“I’ve got to talk to her.”
My grandmother’s demeanor changed, but she didn’t ask any questions, “She’s probably at Ruby Teale’s wedding. Everyone’s been talking about it. They’re holding it in the local park.”