Noah’s head kicks back, and he steps away, accurately interpreting my mood. “Calm down, man. I’m sure she’s fine. Come sit with me and Gazel and have another drink. Maybe I can get her to convince you to take the position at Bask.”
I’m not interested in a drink.
“What did you say to June?” I say, grabbing Noah by the front of his shirt and backing him up against the wall.
“N-nothing!”
“Not buying it. I know you talked to her. Tell me what you said.” I put a little more pressure against his chest.
“It was nothing. I just told her that I thought you were making a mistake by passing up the job. Because you are!”
I shove Noah while releasing his shirt and stepping away. I start to walk away but then turn back and point. “Did you imply that she was getting in the way of me taking the job?”
His eyes widen, and his Adam’s apple bobs over the top of his dress shirt, telling me everything I need to know.
What I want to do is ram Noah into the wall and make him physically pay for meddling in my life, but June is more important than vengeance right now, so instead, I make my way to the front door at a clip that is sure to garner some whispers.
Before I leave, the hostess stops me. “Sir,” she says, sounding awkward. I turn around. “You’re Mr. Ryan Henderson, right?” I nod, and a new dread fills my chest. “Here. The lady you were with left this for you. She asked me to make sure you got it when you were ready to leave.”
I take the note and nod with a polite smile to put her at ease, because it’s not her fault that I’m dateless right now. Once I’m outside and away from prying eyes, I open the letter.
I’m sorry, Ryan. I had to go. You can’t give up your dreams for me. I won’t let you. By the time you read this, I’ll already be on my way to the airport.
Please don’t follow me. It’s easier if we just cut things off like this.
I have loved every second of our time together and wish you the best in life.
June
I crumple the paper and jog to my truck. After checking on my phone for flights out of Chicago to Charleston, I learn that the last one takes off in half an hour. There’s no way I’ll make that in time, but I’ve got to try.
The whole drive to the airport, my anger simmers—torn between hurt and disappointment. I thought we had a good thing going. I thought June and I were finally on the same page, and she trusted me. It’s disheartening that one conversation with Noah shook her so fully. But then again, maybe it’s my fault. I didn’t expound on my decision enough. Tell her my plans. Tell her that I’ve been unhappy for a long time, even before she made it clear for me what my next step in life should be.
I don’t know. These thoughts all race through my head during the drive that feels like a lifetime. When I finally put my truck in park at the airport, I jump out and sprint toward the main entrance. I could probably just wait until June makes it back to Charleston and talk with her over the phone, but I don’t want to. I’m scared to let too much time pass between us.
My dress shoes are clicking over the sidewalk as I’m running toward the entrance, and all I can think of is how much I look like a bad romantic cliché of a groom chasing after his bride who split before the ceremony. I’m not the only one thinking it. Everyone I pass gives me some major side-eye and pitying glances. I should have left my suit jacket in the truck.
I make it to the main sliding doors of the airport and freeze.
Walking out of the airport, holding her heels in one hand and black clutch in the other, is June. She looks up and spots me frozen fifteen feet away from her and smiles tentatively. Her breath clouds in front of her face before she bends down to slip her heels back on. She stands up, and emeralds stare back at me.
I’m sorry, she mouths.
Chapter 31 June
Ryan is standing in front of me, and my heart twists. His face is hard, and it’s clear how he feels about me right now. I don’t blame him. Those dark brows are pulled together, and his shoulders are set for battle. He looks intimidating and angry and beautiful. My knees want to knock together, and maybe I would be running from him right now if it weren’t for the fact that he’s here—he came after me even though I told him not to.
I take the first step closer, but he doesn’t budge.
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “I shouldn’t have left.”
He jerks his chin toward the airport doors behind me. “Did you miss your flight?”
“Yes,” I say, and I see his jaw flinch. “But it was on purpose. I never even bought a ticket.” There’s a brief moment where I see his face soften, but he doesn’t say anything. I inch forward again. “I shouldn’t have left the restaurant. Noah came over and started talking to me about all you were giving up, and it scared me. I thought if I took myself out of the equation, you would go on with your dreams, and I wouldn’t get in the way.”
“So you had it all figured out without me, then?” His voice is so hard it’s practically thunder.
“I thought I did. But I was wrong, and it wasn’t until I was walking into the airport that I could see I was just self-sabotaging.” I take another step. “I saw you tonight, and you looked so cool and confident in that atmosphere that I couldn’t imagine you ever being truly happy with me in Charleston. I was afraid you’d resent me later. Or I wouldn’t be enough to keep you happy, and you’d leave me in the end. It seemed better to just cut you out now.”
“You were wrong.”
“Yes, I was. I know.”
“You have to quit running from me.”
I’m standing in front of him now. “I will.”
“Because I want a healthy relationship with you, June. I won’t keep chasing you every time you run or slam a door in my face. Eventually, you’re going to have to show me that you’re willing to fight for us too.”
Okay, now I take a step back, because I’m feeling slightly annoyed that he’s still not budging. “That’s what I’m doing right now, Ryan.” I say his name, punctuating every letter sound and dripping it in annoyance.
He takes a step toward me this time. “If you had looked closer, you would have seen that the Ryan from tonight is miserable. He’s lonely. He rarely smiles. He hates his job and has wanted out for a long time but never saw a way. You opened my eyes, June, and I see with perfect clarity that I want you. A life with you and all the craziness we are together.”
“You’ll be bored with me.”
He takes another step. “What makes you think I’m just going to sit around painting you all day? I wouldn’t quit my job and not have thoughts for the future. I have plans.”
His harsh tone is ripping my heart. I laid down my pride and admitted my wrongs. I think the least he could do is talk a little softer. “Well, you never shared those plans with me.”
