Durango wads his wrapper and napkins and tosses them into the bag. “Since we’re being so honest, you should know I wanted to ask you out back when we were in Virginia ten years ago. But I didn’t because I had the impression you liked Ozzie. Then you two dated, and that confirmed that.” His jaw clenches. He’s angry.
He wanted to ask me out?
“You didn’t give any signs.”
He stands and walks to the window.
“I’m sorry for what I did. It was immature. Do you think you can forgive me?” I ask.
He turns to face me. “Honesty is very important to me. And while I appreciate you are being forthcoming now, it doesn’t negate the fact that you tried to trick me in the past.”
I set my food down, no longer hungry. “I understand.” My eyes well again, this time with tears of sorrow, so I stare at the table, hoping he won’t notice.
“Why did you come to New York?” Durango asks.
His question catches me off guard.
“What?” I dare to glance up.
The man is staring at me intently. “Why did you come here?”
“I needed to get out of Portland. Ozzie offered me a place. And he said you lived here, too.”
He steps over to the table. “You came here to escape something?”
I nod. “But I wanted to come here when I found out you were here.”
“Why?”
I swallow. The man says he wants honesty. “Because even after all these years, I still think about you. Even if you only want to be friends, I miss having you in my life. I miss you, Durango.” I wait for him to say something, but I’m greeted with silence. “Say something,” I say.
He clears his throat. “I’m not sure if I can deal with that right now.”
I stand up. “Deal with that?”
“Deal with you. What you did with Ozzie hurt. And then to find out it was just some game? Yeah, I’m not sure I can get past that.”
A sob escapes, despite my best efforts to hold it back. “Please, Durango. It was ten years ago. I was a different person.”
“I need time. I have to get back to work.” He turns and leaves without another glance.
I fall back into my chair and let the tears fall. Why did he come here and bring me lunch if he just wanted to tell me he couldn’t deal with me?
I grab my phone and then stare at it, realizing there is no one I can call. It’s been too long to call any of my old friends out of the blue, upset like this…if they’d even talk to me. I wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t answer at all.
Stop. I need to stop. This wallowing isn’t going to get me anywhere. I finish my lunch and focus my attention on work. One thing I am good at is my job. Thankfully, I work remotely and can focus on it whenever I need it. Like right now, when it feels like my world is falling apart. Again.
Later that day, my phone buzzes with a text from Ozzie.
Ozzie:I’m heading home. I’ll grab some dinner on the way.
I stare at the message. Dinner? My stomach growls as I check the time. I’ve been working for five hours.
Ozzie will ask me what happened with Durango. My heart sinks. I don’t want to talk about it.
Willow:Don’t worry about me for dinner. I’m going to walk around the city for a while.
I touch up my makeup and leave the apartment before Ozzie gets home. I walk several blocks before I am on a street filled with restaurants. This place is so different from what I’m used to. You can find everything you need within walking distance here.
