I wasn’t feeling it. Not even a little bit. When he kissed me it was nice but there was still no spark. I didn’t want to deepen the kiss, to have him touch me and take me back to his. It was just… nice. We were supposed to be going to the comedy club at the weekend. I couldn’t go on that date. I wasn’t even sure what had happened, our first date was good but it was my first date since Jace and it had gone well. I think I was over enthusiastic because I’d come away not feeling horrible but feeling hopeful.
Rhys smiled from across the table. “Know what you want yet?” he asked.
Yeah, I did – excitement. I wanted to get a thrill every time I even thought about him. I wanted to want to be around him all the time, but I didn’t and it was nothing he’d done, I just wasn’t into him.
“I’m not sure yet. You?”
“Steak,” he replied.
My phone rang in my handbag. “Sorry,” I said, reaching for it. “I thought I’d put it on silent.”
“That’s okay, answer it.”
I shook my head and pulled the phone out – it was Logan. I bit my lip, I wanted to answer but I wouldn’t. I’d call him back later.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll ring him back tonight.” I hated when people answered calls and texts when they were at dinner with others. It was rude and there was no way I was doing it.
He smiled and ran his hand through his dark copper hair. He looked like he was trying to think of something to say. We’d reached the point where we were forcing it. If we’d have come out as friends we’d probably be chatting away.
By the time dessert was brought out I think Rhys knew this was the last date, too. I dug into my chocolate cake and couldn’t hold it in any longer. It was becoming painfully hard work.
“Rhys,” I said.
“Don’t. I know what you’re about to say. At lunch yesterday you were distant and today you’re even more distant. I’m getting the brush off, aren’t I?”
I squirmed in my seat. This is so awkward. “I’m sorry.” Breathing deeply, I managed to stop myself churning out all the clichés like ‘it’s not you, it’s me.’ Truth was, it wasn’t really either of us. He was great and I liked him but there was nothing romantic between us at all.
“It’s okay. Not gonna lie, I had hoped this would go differently but I get it. For the last few years at work you’ve kind of been like a zombie, it was nice to see you back to your old self for the last six months. Even though this isn’t working out for you I hope, and my God, this is going to sound so cheesy, that we can still be friends.”
“I’d like that. I’ve missed messing around with you and the other guys in the kitchen.”
Smiling sadly, he replied, “So have I.”
Dessert flew by since we decided to be friends and I finally relaxed with him again. He didn’t mention wanting to give it another go or hoping it would’ve worked out again so that led me to believe he wasn’t really into me either. We were definitely supposed to be friends.
Chapter Twelve
Chloe
After dinner and the slightly awkward sort of break-up, I called Logan’s phone on the walk back to my car to see what he wanted earlier. Cassie answered and something inside me twisted. Why didn’t he answer? That was so unlike him.
“Thank God, Chlo! I wanted to call earlier but I remembered you were out with Rhys,” she said.
“What’s going on? Logan called but I was at dinner. Where is he?”
“He came home about ten minutes ago drunk and covered in lipstick.”
“What?” He was past that. He’d been doing so well. Shit, he’d called me an hour ago, was that before he’d lost it?
“I don’t know what’s happened, all I know is that he’s relapsed and barely making sense.”
I picked up my pace, jogging to my car. Rhys peeled away but I didn’t have enough time to worry if he just drove like a crazy person when he was alone or if I’d really hurt his feelings. “Is he awake?”
“Yeah, laying on the sofa having a full conversation with my dad about random crap.”
“Good. Keep him awake; kicking his arse will be so much more effective if he’s aware of it. I’ll be there in ten minutes.” I hung up, ripping my car door open so hard I almost knocked it into the car next to me. Bloody boy!
As mad at him as I was it also worried me why he was drinking again. There was no way on earth he was going back there. Recently, he’d been a much better person, better than before Jace died even. He didn’t use women at all now, well, until this evening, apparently.