Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(9)
“Not entirely.”
“But that’s what led to your decision?”
“In part, yes.”
He sounded exasperated. “This. Is. Ridiculous.” Each word was carefully enunciated.
“To you, it probably is. This is my life, Todd, and I want to marry and have children. I’m sure you do, too, but not with me, and it’s time I accepted that.”
“Hold on, let’s talk this out.”
She should have realized he wasn’t going to make this easy. “I can’t talk now, and it’s pointless. Besides, I’m at work and I know you are, too. Let’s leave matters where they are. Like I said, I’m not upset. Really, I’m not. I would have rather done this face-to-face than over the phone, but you had to cancel our dinner plans.”
“That isn’t what I said,” he argued. “I said I might have to cancel. I called because I wanted you to know it was a possibility.”
“We’ve had a lot of fun together over the years, Todd. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
He hesitated, and his voice dipped. “Is there someone else?”
That he would even ask was an insult. “No. At least not yet.”
“Not yet?”
“I haven’t met the guy yet, or maybe I have and simply don’t know it.”
Again he paused. “I don’t feel good about this.”
“I’d rather have done this over dinner. I’m sorry to spring it on you.” Lauren did feel bad that she was forced to break up over the phone. It seemed a bit heartless, especially after a three-year relationship. Todd deserved more than a quick call. “Like I said, I would have preferred we did this in person. I’ve had a couple of days to grow accustomed to the idea and you haven’t. But when you’ve had time to sort through your feelings, you’ll realize this is for the best.”
“Meet me.”
“Todd, no. Talking this over isn’t going to change my mind. It’s clear to me we aren’t meant to be together.”
“Keep our dinner date.”
“You have a lead on a breaking story, remember? You had to cancel.” One would think with all the leads he’d followed he’d have been sought after by a national news outlet by now.
“I said I might need to cancel,” he snapped. “I’ll give the story to someone else. This is more important.”
“Todd …”
“Come on, Lauren, hear me out. You owe me that.” His voice took on a husky, pleading quality.
Lauren vacillated, unsure what was best.
“If I hadn’t phoned, you would have followed through with the dinner, right?”
He had a point. She’d fully intended to be at The French Cafe Thursday night. She sighed. “Yes, I would have been there.”
“Then just pretend I didn’t call. I’ll meet you at The French Cafe at six o’clock just the way we planned, and then we can talk. I don’t want to lose you, Lauren. I love you.”
Lauren was convinced she was going to regret this. “All right,” she reluctantly agreed, “but you should know right now, my mind is made up. I’d like for us to remain friends, if possible.”
“Of course it’s possible, but you should know something, too.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“I don’t intend to let you go without a fight. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. See you Thursday.”
They ended the call, and Lauren exhaled as she slipped her cellphone back into her purse.
“Well?” Elisa asked after an awkward moment. “How’d that work for you?”
Lauren snorted softly and shook her head. “He called me a thing.”
“A thing?”
“He said I was the best thing that had ever happened to him. I’m a woman with a heart and with feelings and with dreams, and those dreams don’t mesh with his.”
“Oh, Lauren.” Elisa stood and gently patted her back. “I wish I knew what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. It’s been a long time coming. I should have ended it last year.”
“Listen,” Elisa said, perking up considerably. “I want you to fly to Vegas with me for the gem show next month.”
“But I thought you were going with Garry?” Lauren had attended before, and it was an amazing show. For the last couple of years she’d looked after the store while Elisa and Garry were away.
“Garry suggested it might be good for the two of us to have some girl time. Besides, he really isn’t all that keen on Vegas.”
“I’d love it.”
“We both could use a break.”
Time away was exactly what she needed. She looked at her friend and laughed. “Let me at that Wheel of Fortune slot machine.”
“And remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
Maybe for others, but Lauren tended to live on the tame side of town. Then again, maybe she should kick up her heels.
Chapter Four
“I’m so sorry I didn’t call you back,” Bethanne told Max while he clung to the telephone receiver in his Sonoma Valley office. He hated that living apart made this form of communication with his wife a necessity.