Of course he would take her to the most exclusive restaurant in all of New York City.
Kallie walked into the restaurant feeling very out of place. James loved spots like this, and Kallie had always hated them. The bustling of people and the constant need to be seen. James always picked the tables in the middle of the room, so people could recognize him and clock his presence.
And that night was no different.
“Kal-Bear, you look beautiful,” James said.
“I’m not here to stay long,” she said as she sat down in her chair.
She set the velvet black box in front of him and his eyes fell to it. His nose crinkled, like Kallie had just offered him a dirty diaper. She was serious when she told him she wasn’t staying to eat. This wasn’t a date or a lifeline to get back together.
Kallie was done with this.
Done with James.
“Did the gems not sparkle enough?” James asked.
“It’s not about the necklace,” Kallie said.
“Then what is this about?”
“It’s about us, James.”
“I’m glad you bring that up, because I want to talk about that subject.”
“I’m sure you do but let me start. Why would you get me a gift like this now?”
“What?”
“That’s the question I keep asking myself,” she said. “Clearly you were paying attention. You knew I’d had my eye on this, even though I could never afford it. If you knew I wanted it all those months ago, why didn’t you buy it for me then? Why wait until now, after you’ve cheated on me?”
“That’s an interesting sentiment coming from the woman who never wanted me to spend money on her.”
“That isn’t the point of this.”
“Then what is the point?”
“You waited until you had royally screwed up to shower me with gifts. Because you think that’s how you’re going to get me back, and it’s not,” she said.
“Kallie, I’m sorry. I don’t know what else I can do to prove to you that I am. I meant what I said in all those notes I sent you. You are all I’ve ever wanted. I’ve never chased after a woman like this before.”
“And that's supposed to make me feel special?”
“Yes,” he said. “It is. I know so many couples who have come back from things like these. And I have the numbers of all their therapists they used.”
“Therapists?”
“Marriage counselors.”
“We aren’t married.”
“Then relationship counselors, Kallie. But I have those numbers, and I’m fully prepared to do whatever it takes to prove to you that I want you back. That I still love you. That I’m committed to the idea of us.”
“Just not the physical form of us,” she said flatly.
“Kallie, come on. How long am I going to have to apologize?”
“It isn’t just the fact that you cheated, James”