Heartless: Episode 2

I stifled a laugh. “It’s only an hour flight, so it’s not like I’m losing much of my day when I’m in the air. Also, I can work from Southern California just as effectively as I can from my office up north.” Squeezing her hand for a moment, I added, “Well, almost as effectively. You’ve been a bit of a distraction lately.”

“Me? You’re the distraction, and I haven’t even had to leave my office. You bring the distraction to me.”

She half-smiled, and I wanted to kiss the edges of her mouth.

“Do you want me to stop?”

Her eyes skirted away from mine as she glanced at our hands. “No.”

“Good. I wouldn’t have listened anyway. To be honest, I think we have the perfect situation here.” My thumb lazily circled hers.

“How so?”

“Well, for starters, we don’t live anywhere near each other,” I practically shouted at her like an excited five-year-old.

“I think we’ve established that already. Why is that a good thing?”

“Well, contrary to what you think, I really do work hard and long hours. I get home late all the time, and I’m up early. I know you are, too. Neither of us has time for a demanding relationship, not that I think you’d ever be demanding. You’re too damn independent.” Her lips started to frown, and I quickly recovered. “That’s a good thing. I fucking love that about you.” I watched as her lips tilted up into a slight grin. “As I was saying, I think that us being long distance is the perfect way for you to take baby steps, which I’m assuming you need to do, before we go all in. And trust me, babe, we’re going all in.”

“Are you always this overly confident, bossy, and demanding?”

“Only when I know I’m right.” I smirked before bringing her hand to my lips.

“So, all the time then,” she teased.

“See? You’re the perfect girlfriend already.” The word effortlessly slipped off my tongue. I hadn’t had a real girlfriend in years, but I wanted this. I wanted her.

Heather reappeared at that moment with our bottle of wine and two glasses, and all I wanted her to do was leave again. We placed our order, and I informed her we weren’t in a rush.

“Will you answer me something?” I asked with slight apprehension.

“Sure.”

She looked tentative, but I was determined to convince her that she could trust me.

“Why are you so hesitant when it comes to me?”

“It’s not just you.” She sipped her wine.

“Then, what is it?”

“I don’t really date anymore. I kind of swore off men awhile back.” Her eyes averted mine as she stared past me.

“So, you only date girls now?” I tried to break the tension.

She laughed. “Oh, yeah. I’m sure dating a chick would be far less dramatic.” Her expression shifted.

“Tell me what happened. Please.” I looked into her brown eyes and saw the hurt in them.

She was so reluctant about sharing anything personal with me, and it fucking killed me. I wanted her to trust me.

“Elizabeth, I know that someone hurt you, but that someone wasn’t me.”

And it never will be, I promised myself.

“I know that. It’s so stupid.” She shrugged one shoulder. “I mean, it happened eight years ago.”

“But you’re still holding on to it?” I honestly wondered.