She walks away and I watch her go through the door.
That right there was the closest she’s ever come to telling me how she feels.
The reason I can’t go there with her though is valid enough.
Not only did I loose Marie when she knew that my interests in Rachel ran deeper than what I portrayed, but Peter knows too. Her father, my best friend knows too that I feel more for his daughter than what I allow her to see.
In the space of a mo
nth, Marie broke up with me and we had to cancel our wedding. Then Peter guessed the reason for the break up.
Rachel.
Both him and Marie could see what I didn’t want anyone to see.
Your best friend’s daughter is not only off limits but she’s out of bounds too.
There’s a difference. Off limits has some give. Out of bounds though, signifies danger of a higher degree. It means I could lose things like a forty-year old friendship with a guy who’s been like a brother to me.
Peter gave me the warning.
He told me to stay away from his daughter. That’s why I am.
Chapter Three
Rachel
I’m so stupid.
When am I going to get over this man?
Why the hell do I keep pushing and trying? Prodding and holding on like one of those desperate people who can’t do any better.
Jia rests her hand on my shoulder and gives me a little tap.
Giselle just looks at me from across the table in her usual way. Like she’s contemplating and won’t give a decisive answer until she’s sure of what to say.
She’s a lawyer and I’ve noticed the trait common to most of them. She’s no different and while I love my best friend to no end it can be irritating at times.
Jia, best friend number two, is different. At least she’ll throw some ideas out there for us to talk it out.
That’s why we’re here at the coffeehouse, gathered in like it’s our hub, airing the shit out while we indulge on fattening pastries.
“I think you should be objective about this,” Jia says.
I appreciate that she’s talking. It’s different to Miss Silent on my right—whoops I forgot she’s Mrs. Silence now. Giselle has been married for six months and she’s all loved up with Josh, her gorgeous hunk. He can be silent too. They’re both lawyers.
“Objective in what way? I actually don’t know what to do,” I answer.
I summoned them here for an emergency meeting because I’m at the point where I’m ready to pull out my hair over this man.
Something’s happened and I don’t know what it is. Dante and I have always been close and the years that have passed have made us closer. Even when he was engaged he still made time for me.
I’m not a bitch so I won’t be one of those women who’ll be happy to see a couple who were enroute to marriage break up. However, I am an opportunist and I won’t pretend that their breakup didn’t signify that he was back on the market.
I took it as a second chance for me to tell him how I feel, except I haven’t done that part, yet. I nearly did though earlier.
“Well think of it this way,” Jia begins. “If this was some other guy you wouldn’t give him the time of day would you? I mean if he was acting like he wasn’t interested or avoiding you, you’d let it be.”