Wherever You Will Go(16)

I make the most un-ladylike snort. “Yeah, I bet she was really worried; worried I wouldn’t make it to the club this weekend.” I say in my most sarcastic tone. “Besides, it was only her calls I was ignoring.”

“What?” Saxon asks in confusion.

“Do you know that old batty bitch called me up a few weeks ago and started talking about setting me up with someone from the club? Can you believe that?”

Saxon’s face tightens and his eyes shift from me to the road, but he doesn’t answer.

“Two months, Saxon. Two months after my husband, her son, passes away she is talking about setting me up. She’s fucking crazy.”

He shakes his head as if he can’t believe it. “So that’s why you’re ignoring her calls?”

“Yes. I don’t have the strength to be nice to her, and it’s better than me saying something I might regret.”

“Fair enough. How about I call her after coffee and tell her you’re okay and you’re going to call her in the next few days?” He asks, but it’s more like he’s telling me.

I take a deep breath. “Sure.” But I won’t be calling her.

I look out the window as Saxon pulls into the parking lot of the coffee shop. Once he has parked, we both open our doors and I grab my purse, which has ended up by my feet.

As I climb out of the small sports car, Saxon is running around to my side to grab my door. He releases a frustrated sigh. “Calm down, I’m not fragile.” I scold him.

He raises an eyebrow at me and it’s so cute, I can’t help but laugh. “Okay, well not physically fragile, anyway.”

“Come on.” He rolls his eyes at me.

He opens the coffee shop door for me, and I duck inside and wait for him to shut it and lead the way. I follow him to a back corner booth and sit down onto the seat as he slides in opposite me.

Picking up a menu, I soon realise I have no idea what any of these items are. I’m not a big coffee drinker and there are seriously more than twenty drink choices, and that is just the coffee. It doesn’t even include the smoothies, juices, or shakes.

Saxon’s eyes are on me as he places his menu down after deciding what he wants. It’s during times like these I miss Nate. He would know what all these drinks were and would know what I would like.

I decide to take a stab and place my menu on the table while looking at Saxon.

“What would you like?”

“A caramel flan latte please.” I reach under the table for my purse.

“I got it,” he says as he stands to place our order.

I grab my phone and automatically open my Facebook app. It’s an old habitual response when I’m looking for something to keep me busy. As I’m scrolling through my newsfeed, I take note I haven’t been on here since Nate’s car accident. I can see the red notification notice telling me I have one hundred and fifty-three new notifications. I know what they are, and I have no wish to see them. All well wishes and I’m sorry for your loss messages, I’m sure.

I quickly close the app and throw my phone back into my purse. I’ll have to deactivate my account when I get home.

Saxon returns, sitting down across from me, and gives me an easy smile. “I ordered a cheese and tomato toasted sandwich and a muffin as well. You look like you need it,” he says with no humour in his voice and a blank expression.

My eyes widen and then move down to appraise my appearance. “Do I look that bad?”

“You’ve lost a lot of weight, Brooke. Your eyes are all sunken in, and you’re pale.”

“Gee, thanks, what a charmer you are.”

“I’m not here to charm you,” he says with the same blank expression.

I wish I knew why he was here. Why did he feel the need to drag me out? I was fine. “So… this place is nice. I’ve never been here before, have you?” I ask as I scan the room to avoid his stare. The other diners filling the large and open room with talk and laughter.

“Yes, a few times.” He doesn’t take his eyes off me as we sit in silence for several minutes.

“For someone who wanted to take me to coffee to talk, you don’t have much to say.” There is indignation in my voice.

“What do you want me to say? Yes, it’s a nice place.”

I’m getting angry and my frustration is rising. “Say what you came here to say.”

“When are you coming to work in the office?” his reply is instant.

“I’m not sure exactly. I don’t feel ready yet. Is there a problem? Do you need me there?” I ask, knowing full well there is nothing he could need me for.

“No. It’s all under control and running as it should. I think it would be good for you to get out of the house and spend time getting your mind off things.” Yeah right. “Learning the business and getting to know how to run it is going to take a lot of work, and it’s not going to be easy." Sure, and then you’ll get out of there as soon as possible.