I just shook my head, thinking back over our day at the lake. Everything was perfect with all three of us, just splashing around in the water. It really felt as though we were a family.
“I can’t talk about that yet,” I said.
“I’m sorry. It’s just if a guy is willing to introduce you to his daughter, it seems odd that he’d break up with you so soon.”
I nodded, realizing that she was right. That was what I’d been thinking, too. Julianna had gone through the same thing with Jake, only introducing Caley to him when she was sure.
I reminded myself that they had also broken up. Except Jake and Julianna got back together and even got married. “I’ll tell you some other time, okay? I have to work on a few things upstairs.”
Crystal nodded, but she could tell that something was worse than what I was saying. She reached out and grabbed my arm, worry on her face. “Annie, what’s going on? Did Richard hurt you?”
I looked into my best friend's eyes, and a part of me wanted to tell her everything. I had put my faith in another dead-end relationship, and being there for Richard didn’t matter. I should have followed my intuition and never gone out with him after the night before Jake and Juliana’s wedding.
One day I would tell her, but when the timing was right.
“I can’t get into it right now, Crystal. It’s too much to think about, and I do have to get some work done. Are you okay to run the studio this afternoon?” She nodded but still had a concerned look in her eyes. “Okay. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”
As I turned to walk away, Crystal said, “You and Richard are good for each other, Annie. Just give it time.”
That’s what I loved about Crystal. Even when she didn’t know everything about a situation, she somehow knew exactly what to say. And that little bit of hope was what I needed to hold onto at that moment.
I stopped at the coffee and sandwich shop across the street and ordered some food. My stomach was growling, and not even my cheeseburger-flavored protein bar would have satisfied me. As I sat at a table and waited for my takeout, I saw an attractive couple walk in holding hands. The man looked like Richard, complete with the dark beard and streaks of grey in his hair.
The woman looked much younger, too, right around my age.
It broke my heart to see them all over each other, finishing each other's sentences as they placed their order and then found a table. That could have been Richard and me, and little Addison would be with us too. I knew Richard pictured us being the perfect family at the lake on Saturday. I could see it in his eyes.
I understood his hesitation, though. Richard had a lot on his plate. New responsibilities at work, a bitch of an ex-girlfriend who was also the mother of their child he just found out about, and a nasty child custody case. Perhaps being in a relationship with me was too much stress for him, and maybe we’d work it out somewhere down the road.
It still didn’t make it any less painful, though.
After getting my food to go, I headed back to my loft and ate in silence for a while. I told Crystal that I had some work to do for my lifestyle line, but all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and think about Richard. I was constantly checking my phone to see if he’d texted me, but of course, he hadn’t.
I finally got the strength to open up my laptop and check some work emails. There was one from Marcus, the New York investor who was interested in my lifestyle line of products. It was titled: It’s Time We Met Face To Face.
It was a little exciting to hear from him again. After all, I’d worked hard on creating a line of quality products that I wanted people to enjoy. The breakup from Richard put a damper on it, though.
I double-clicked on the email and read it:
Dear Ms. Belmont,
I’m following up with you after our past two webcam sessions regarding your holistic line of products. I’d love to move forward with our partnership, but it does require you to come to New York City. Please let me know a time that is at your earliest convenience, and I’ll have my team make your flight and hotel arrangements.
I look forward to doing business with you.
Sincerely,
Marcus Bremerton
If it weren’t for Richard, I’d have told him that I could fly out as soon as he’s ready and have Crystal take all of my classes. Hell, I’d even try to convince Julianna to be a yoga instructor for a few days. But I just couldn’t fight the depression inside of me, so I bought myself some time.
Dear Mr. Bremerton,
It’s wonderful to hear from you again! I just have to work out a few things with my schedule. Allow me to get back to you tomorrow with a date that I can meet you in New York.
Sincerely,
Annie Belmont
