Holding my gaze over her brother’s shoulder she smiles. “Thank you,” she mouths and pulls out of her brother’s arms.
I don’t hang around to listen to them because my need to be the one taking care of her is driving me crazy, and I know that I will never be able to do that. I also know that my sudden feelings toward her are ridiculous.
Making my way down the stairs to the parking garage, I quickly climb into my car and then curse a blue streak because I forgot to get her number. At the time I was more concerned about her being able to contact me.
I hit the steering wheel and curse again when my cell buzzes in my pocket. I want to ignore it but unfortunately with the completion of my new hotel nearing I can’t.
The damn thing won’t stop buzzing with messages now my cell reception has reconnected, but I find a grin splitting my face when I see an unknown number, with the words: Thank you. Sirena x
I now have her number, which I quickly save to my contacts. I do pause though when I slip my cell back into my pocket as my brain engages. All I see now is the twenty plus years between us, which is a lot more than a small problem.
With a mirthless laugh, I rest back against the seat of the car knowing that I’m being stupid. Sirena is a beautiful young woman and surely wouldn’t have even looked at me if we hadn’t of gotten stuck in the elevator together.
Who are you trying to convince?
She was interested.
I’m not going to dwell on it because the chances are that I won’t see her again, and I’ll just put this afternoon down to a brief encounter. It doesn’t change the fact that for the first time in a very long time, I felt happy.
4
Sirena
“Sirena, you’re not listening to me, honey.” My sister, Charlotte, sits beside me on the other sun lounger and takes my hand into hers. “What’s wrong? Have you heard from Harry?”
I shake my head, knowing that she’s going to be thinking I’m sad.
For the past month I haven’t heard one word from my so called husband even though it had been me to walk away from the asshole—I’m not sad though.
“His lawyer sent a legal document to me to be signed stating that he gives up his rights as the father of our unborn child.”
I hear Charlotte cursing under her breath, disbelief in her voice.
Receiving that document had crushed me and I felt sad that my baby wouldn’t have a father. But then I realized that I’d never have to hand my baby over to him for weekend visits, and that I’d never have to see Harry again. I shouldn’t have been relieved, but I am.
Now I’m more angry than hurt about Harry and the way he has treated me, but my real depression and down in the dumps feeling has everything to do with Garrett.
He gave me his number, and I sent him a text wanting to say thank you so he would have my number. I haven’t heard from him at all though and that’s what has me sad.
I relive the moment in the elevator on a daily basis knowing that I hadn’t imagined the connection I’d felt to Garrett. He probably hasn’t given me another thought.
“Sis, you’re worrying me with this silence, and I’m glad that Harry isn’t going to be around.” Charlotte has been nothing but patient with me, which must be driving her nuts because she really doesn’t have one patient bone in her body.
Charlotte is smaller than I am and is more on the petite side. But when we’re together we often get asked if we’re twins. If Michael is in the vicinity and I knew he’d heard that question, I always milk it for what it’s worth because it annoys him. He hates anyone not knowing that he’s Charlotte’s twin and when I’m not teasing him I find it endearing.
“Sirena,” Charlotte growls.
A laugh bubbles up inside me and for the first time in the month since I met Garrett I find real amusement. “I’m really fine, Charlotte. I signed and sent the document back via my lawyer . . . I honestly don’t mean to worry everyone.” I look out at the lake and thank God that I’m on dry land. I actually love sailing but since I became pregnant just the thought makes me nauseous.
“You’re my sister of course I’m going to worry, but you know that you can talk to me if you need to.” Charlotte pouts.
Sighing, I turn and hold Charlotte’s stare. “I promise you that I no longer feel anything toward Harry. What I did feel died long before I walked out,” I admit, knowing she won’t let the subject of Harry drop. “It’s . . .” I drift into a world of my own when a memory of Garrett smiling at me takes hold.
“You were saying?” she prompts.
I frown at Charlotte for interrupting and finally admit to her, “I met someone else.”
Charlotte’s eyes pop and she stammers, “What? When? How? I really don’t understand.” She swivels to a sitting position and glares down at me. “Please explain.”