The Do Over

Lincoln Road was surprisingly quiet this morning. The weather was glorious. Of course, our cold front had lasted two days, but now, we were back to eighty-five degree temperatures. This was wonderful because Liam and I would be going away to the Keys for the rest of the weekend. I was over-the-moon excited. I couldn't wait to spend the night with him again. Just thinking about it made my heart flutter and my insides tighten in a delicious way.

There were no words to describe Liam and the way he made me feel. He was so good to me, but he didn't put up with my bullshit either. When I'd had my meltdown, I was sure that he was going to leave. What guy wants to deal with that emotional mess? A man who truly cared about me—that's who.

I thought about how I'd felt when Liam had fought for me and for us. Then, he'd taken care of me. After I had put him through hell, he'd given me the most incredible night of my life. The best part was when he pulled me in close, and we had fallen asleep together. Yes, the three orgasms had been incredible, too.

I walked along Lincoln Road with the same goofy smile I got every time I thought about him. He was really giving my book-boyfriend extraordinaire a run for his money. Nothing could possibly ruin this day. With my smartphone in hand, I plugged in my earbuds and pulled up my favorite playlist as I strutted down to Van Dyke's with a little hop and dance in my step.

Then, someone startled me out of my daydream.

"Are you stalking me?" he asked, tapping me on the shoulder.

I looked down and shook my head.

Rick slowed his pace to walk next to me. Of course, he's running on Lincoln Road. I had never seen him running here before, and now, I couldn't seem to get away from him.

"Me stalking you? Really?" I rolled my eyes. "I think it's the other way around."

He laughed softly as his breathing returned to normal. Sweat was glistening off his skin. He had obviously been running for a while. He looked good. When doesn't he? Frankly, I didn't want to observe anything related to him, especially his muscles in his sleeveless T-shirt. I forced myself to keep looking forward.

"I think you're being paranoid, Daniela," he responded.

From the corner of my eye, I could see him smiling.

My heart rate increased as I picked up my pace. Or is that due to Rick's presence? I didn't want to deal with Rick Marin again.

"Rick, I don't want to be rude, but go away," I said, physically shooing him away this time.

He laughed again.

He had a contagious laugh that had always been my downfall. When we were together, I could never stay mad at him. He would say or do something stupid and then laugh. The next thing I knew, angry thoughts had been laughed away.

Sure enough, my reflexes betrayed me, and I laughed back. I stopped and turned toward him. "Rick, what do you want?"

His expression fell as his eyes dropped to the sidewalk. I leaned my weight on my right leg and put my hand on my waist as I waited for his response. He looked up through his lashes and gave me a small dimpled smile. That look used to get me every time. Damn him.

"Cariño, I was just running, and then I saw you," he said as though I was being hard on him.

"You need to keep running then," I snapped, glaring at him, and noticed a strand of hair fall on his forehead. I fought back the impulse from old habits. Geez, I want to tuck it into place.

He looked straight at me with a penetrating gaze. "You're right, Daniela. I should keep running, but I can't," he murmured. He looked away, running his hands through his hair.

I stumbled back at his admission while my eyes followed his hands, watching as his fingers combed back the strand I longed for. I regained my bearings. Shaking my head at him, I shouted, "No, you are not doing this to me. No! Do you hear me?"

When he moved closer to me, I backed up.

"Daniela, I don't want to hurt you. I know I don't deserve to share your air." He paused, looking up and then back at me. "But, after seeing you, I've just—"

"Stop!" I screamed at him. I put my hands out to ensure he didn't come closer to me. "You leave me the f*ck alone." Looking away, I fought back the tears.

I didn't want to do this. His pleading eyes and his deep voice transported me to a different time, a time when I'd hoped that this was actually real. It took me to a place where I'd believed that he would become the man I had wanted him to be. It was a time when I'd waited for his phone call to beg for my forgiveness, telling me he wanted me back. It was the call I'd never received. It had all been a lie then, and it was a lie now. I wasn't going to let him manipulate me.

"Daniela, por favor, please…" he begged.

I turned and started walking away. I told myself to think happy thoughts. He followed me. I was just going to ignore him. I hoped he would go away, but he didn't.

When I arrived at Van Dyke's, I settled at my table, pretending he wasn't standing there. I continued my usual routine of organizing my things. I pulled out my Kindle, set my purse on the chair next to me, and propped up my feet on the chair across from me. Then, I signaled for the waiter and ordered my diet soda. As I dropped my eyes to my Kindle, my feet fell to the ground. He actually pulled the chair out and sat down. I shot daggers at him with my eyes.

"Let me finish what I was saying," he said in a commanding voice. He then turned to the waiter and asked for water.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Rick, there's nothing to say." I paused. "Look, I have a boyfriend, and I'm really happy with him. That isn't going to change."

He closed his eyes and then slowly opened them, taking a deep breath. "Look, I've gone through some stuff lately, and I've realized what's important. I'm getting my shit together. So, yeah, I run, eat clean, and I'm actually going to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving," he said very seriously.

I couldn't help but giggle. "I'm being punked, aren't I?" I laughed. "That has got to be the biggest load of shit I've ever heard, and you've told a few whoppers."

He sat up, like he was almost offended, and took a big gulp of his water.

I pointed at his bottle and smirked. "You do know that you're paying for that, right?"

He gave me a crooked smile as he put the bottle down on the table. He asked, "Are you happy?"

I nodded and smiled. That's the God's honest truth!

"As long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me. But…"

I started to shift in my seat. I knew he was closing the sale.

He said, "I'm convinced that our meeting wasn't an accident."

I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh.

"Don't do that. It's not attractive on you. I just think that maybe we can be friends. If I see you, I can stop and say hello or vice versa," he said.

I started looking around to see if I could find hidden cameras. I knew there had to be more to this than he was saying. "What's the catch?"

He quickly responded, "Why does there have to be a catch? There is none. Maybe I just want the chance to change your perception of me."

I shifted in my seat because there it was—the catch.

"Look, you think I'm an ass, and you're right. I am. But I'm trying to be a better man. I don't want you to hate me, but I can't tell you not to. I don't deserve your forgiveness. But, shit, it's good to see you after all this time, especially now that I'm reinventing myself. You have a boyfriend, and I'm happy for you. I'm not a threat to him."

Looking at him, I didn't believe a single word he was saying.

With a grin, he added, "But if he f*cks up and breaks your heart, I'll beat the shit out of him." He leaned against the table. "You can be damn sure that I'll move hell and high water to win you back." He got up, tossed five dollars on the table, and winked at me.

That did not just happen. I didn't know how to process this encounter with Rick. It was bizarre and familiar. At the same time, it was unpleasant and strangely unthreatening. I didn't trust him, but surprisingly, it didn't have the same effect as it did the last time. Maybe the shock had worn off. I didn't want to think about it anymore.

My phone vibrated. I picked it up and saw I had a text from Liam. My goofy grin returned. I couldn't wait to see him.