He shrugged and left, as I sunk into a chair and took her hand, which was holding a flash drive.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. My brother is–”
“I brought the Silversong photos for you,” she said, handing me the drive and pushing her chair a few inches away from me. I couldn’t stand the disappointment in her eyes as she stared at me. “So, you’ve dated a lot?”
“Not really,” I said gently, trying a smile. “Those girls were a long time ago. I was young and didn’t know what I wanted.”
“You must really have wanted someone to move to another city,” she said flatly.
I shook my head. “It was more like...I was looking for excitement. For a change.”
“A little infatuation that didn’t last,” she said softly, staring down at her hands. “You didn’t tell me that you worked for your brother.”
“It’s a family company. I’m sorry it didn’t come up. Honestly, I always assume that people just know.”
“He owns the whole company?”
It was impossible to read her eyes when she finally looked up at me. “The two of us own it together. He runs it. We both own some other businesses too. When our father retired five years ago, he divided up his assets and passed them along. He wanted us to take over when he was still around to answer questions and be a consultant.”
“That explains your car and all of that expensive camera equipment. And the nice house.”
“We’re fairly well off, if that’s what you mean,” I said slowly. “Do you care about that?”
Her lips pressed into a firm line. “I find it odd that you didn’t mention the other businesses.”
“It’s a dry cleaner, a nail salon, a few clothing stores, and some investments. I have great managers who run them, and I only have to check in twice a month. They don’t really interest me the way photography and film do.”
Her bright eyes were usually so warm, but now seemed dull. “It’s apparently pretty hard to hold your interest for long. I was just a fun little distraction, wasn’t I?” she asked sadly.
“Sweetheart, no.” I reached for her hand again, but she snatched it away.
“You were excited about this project with me. But this relationship was only intended to last the length of the documentary. I get it.”
She sighed, standing up and taking her purse. Those perfect lips opened, then closed again as she shook her head and left.
I needed to follow her. Needed to rush after her, wrapping her in my arms and begging for forgiveness. But Brynn was shy, and I knew if I embarrassed her, or put her on the spot, she might never forgive me.
Hopefully, after she had some time to cool down, I could text her and arrange a chat over coffee. If she didn’t speak to me after several days, I’d charge in like a maniac. Until then, I’d have to be patient.
11
_____
Brynn
Sometimes I am a courageous, hard-working young woman who speaks her mind. And sometimes, I’m the jerk who claims to be busy with work so that she barely answers someone’s texts for several days.
Owen: Can we meet for a coffee after work?
Me: Slammed with a new project.
Owen: Perhaps tomorrow?
Me: Frantic week.
Owen: Okay. I hope that you’re taking care of yourself. I’ll email a link to the latest cut of the record manufacturing clip.
Luckily, Owen didn’t sound angry, and gave me a bit of space. Walking into the diner for Thursday’s lunch, my eyes flicked over to the booth where Owen had been so sweet to me. A lump formed in my throat that was hard to dislodge.