<b>Chapter </b><b>352 </b>
Jared’s warm expression from just moments ago fro
I stood in the hallway, answering the call.
over in an instant.
Nathan’s deep voice came through. “Where
are
told him I was out having dinner with Yvon” asked. “Are You
“Yeah, I am. You wannae over?” I asked with a smile.
Nathan’s voice was a little husky. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
“Yeah, see you tonight,” I replied.
As I turned around with my phone still in hand, I spotted Jared standing a short distance behind me, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter in his hand.
I guessed Jared must’ve heard me making ns <i>with </i>
Nathan.
“Are you leaving now?” Jared asked.
I shook my head. “No rush. Let’s finish dinner first.”
With that, I headed back toward the private
room. A
I passed Jared, he suddenly grabbed my arm. “Just tell me–are you actually serious about him, or
are you just messing around?”
I froze for a second, then yanked my arm away. “I don’t owe you any answers.”
Jared looked genuinely hurt. “I know you don’t trust marriage anymore. You just want a guy to fill that space. Victoria, I could do that. We don’t have to get married again–let’s just keep things casual, have some fun together.”
“Have you lost it?” I blurted out, totally shocked. “Don’t tell me you’re actually getting serious about this. Jared, wake up. Go have your fun–there are plenty of amazing women around you who’d be way better for you than me.”
Jared leaned against the wall, tilting his head back a little.
His jawline was sharp, Adam’s apple standing out as he shot
<i>me </i>a look and swallowed–his throat moving in a way that was almost distracting.
“If I hook up with them, I know we’ll never have another shot,” Jared said, sadness flickering in his eyes. “Just thinking about never being with you again…1 can’t make peace with that.“.
I stared at him, wide–eyed. “What is it about me that you’re still
ngu
up on? All these years together, you never really showed you loved me that much.”
“I just can’t let it go,” Jared said, locking eyes with me. “And
Oused my possessiveness.”
“Even if <i>you </i>never get involved with another woman, it’s still over between us,” I said, then pushed open the door and walked back into the private room.
Jared stepped out for a smoke.
Yvonne was sitting inside, looking a bit lost. When she saw me walk in, her face instantly brightened with a smile.
“Mom, Dad left too, and it was a little scary being by myself,” Yvonne said, suddenly scooting over to me.
1 patted her shoulder tofort her. “Be brave, okay?”
“Mom<b>, </b><b><i>no </i></b>matter what happens between you and Dad, I don’t like the idea of him being with another woman,” Yvonne <b>said</b>, <b>looking up </b><b>at </b><b>me</b>. “Grandma’s trying to set him up <b>on </b>dates again.”
<b>1/2 </b>
I paused for a second. She really thought she could keep Jared from ever getting remarried—such a sweet, naive kid.
“Yvonne, let’s just see how things go. Your dad’s still young he can’t stay single forever,” I said, trying to ease her worries.
“But…” Yvonne pouted. “I still think you’re the most beautiful woman. None of those otherdies canpare to you.”
I chuckled softly. “Really? You think I’m beautiful?”
“Yeah, Dad said you used to be a total knockout,” Yvonne said with all seriousness<b>. </b>
A little wave of emotion rippled through me, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside.
Jared had gone after me hard back then, all because of my looks, so it’s no wonder he still thinks I’m attractive.
Jared came back from his smoke, settled the bill, and since I was meeting up with Nathan afterward, I said my goodbyes to him and Yvonne at the
restaurant entrance.
That look Jared gave me as I left haunted me for a long time. It was pain, unwillingness, and helplessness all tangled together–his eyes were red, burning with an emotion he just couldn’t hide.