“No, why?” He stares at me intently.
“I don’t think we… you didn’t feel a connection with me. I know you didn’t, and neither did I.”
“If we gave it some time, I know we would work.”
He’s not going to let me go without a reason, and I know I have to just come out and say it. “The truth is, Henry, that I got back with Nathan.”
He rolls his eyes. “I thought as much.”
“Why did you think that?”
“I saw him in New York.”
My face falls. “You saw him on the sidewalk?”
“No, I saw him in the restaurant. He was sitting at the bar for our entire date.”
My mouth falls open as I imagine poor Nathan watching me laughing, giggling and flirting all night.
“Oh God.” I drag my hand down my face. “I’m sorry, Henry. I didn’t know he was there, and I most definitely wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“I know.” He smiles as his eyes hold mine.
I put my head into my hands. “This is a disaster. I didn’t know he was there, I’m so sorry. We talked that weekend, and we’ve since decided to try again.”
“I knew it.” He gives an annoyed shake of his head. “That’s fine, I understand.”
I take his hand across the table. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“What do you see in him?”
I smile softly. “I know how he comes across to the outside world.”
“Like a lunatic?”
“I’m not perfect, either, and this time, I know it’s going to be different between us. We are going to make it work. It's only new but I think there’s hope, you know?”
“How are you going to make it work?”
I look over and see Nathan pacing outside on the sidewalk. I smile at the beautiful rageaholic that he is before I turn my attention back to Henry.
“I’ve no idea.” I pick up my purse, take out some money, and I put it onto the table. I stand and kiss Henry’s cheek, and then I put my hand on his shoulder as I walk past him toward the door. “You’re a good friend, Henry.”
He smiles. “Good luck!” he calls. “You’re going to need it.”
I giggle to myself. That is the understatement of the year.
I walk toward the door just as Nathan bursts through, and I point to the street outside. “Out,” I mouth.
He stands still, his chest is rising and falling as he struggles for air, he looks like he’s about to explode. I walk past him and out the door. With one last warning glare at Henry, he turns and follows me.
The car is still parked in the same spot across the road where he had dropped me off…of course it is. I should have known he wouldn’t leave.
“You took too long.” He stammers as he storms to the car. “I hope you have a defibrillator in your handbag because I’m about to have a fucking heart attack, Eliza.”