Ed waited by his car, watching for Chantal’s little Sunfire to pull into the coffee shop’s parking lot. He’d already gone into the store and purchased a cup for each of them. He didn’t want this to become a long, drawn-out affair. He planned to give her the coffee he’d promised and say goodbye.
He needed time to clear his mind and not be focused on a breakup.
God, he’d screwed up big time last night, and to top it off, he’d basically thrown Emma out like yesterday’s trash. If she told Cain what happened, he’d be in hot water.
But she wouldn’t do that. She was fighting to show her independence. Running to her uncle to tattle would be the last thing she’d do.
Of course, he may have misjudged her. Maybe she was looking for an opportunity to knock him down a few pegs. Perhaps she was out to prove to Cain he was as much a pig as any other man. Well, now she had her proof.
By the time Chantal pulled in, his hands were getting too toasty from the beverages he held. She greeted him with a warm smile, which slipped when she spotted the cups he held.
Playing dumb, she said, “You already ordered. Does that mean we’re going someplace romantic?” After tossing her keys into her purse, she came closer. He tried not to back up when she traced the logo on the front of his shirt. “Like a picnic to make up for last night?”
“About that…” Ed was suddenly second-guessing the coffee. Was Chantal the type of woman that would throw it in his face? He risked it and handed her a cup. “You were right.”
Her perfectly plucked brow furrowed. “Right about what?”
“You shouldn’t have left me alone with her.”
“You slept with her, didn’t you?”
“I’m sorry, Chantal,” he said, making no excuses.
“I knew it!” He was prepared to let her rant, but instead, she simply asked, “Why?”
I don’t know. “Does it matter?” Ed leaned back against his car. “But let’s be honest. This was going to happen eventually.”
“That you’d cheat on me?” she growled.
Ed winced. It certainly felt that way, but he defended himself anyway. “Come on, we never said we were exclusive. We never labeled it.”
“We’ve been going out since March. It’s kind of assumed at this point.”
You know what happens when you assume.
Ed was smart enough to keep the saying to himself.
“Is she the first?”
“Yes. I swear.”
Before she even spoke, Ed knew what she’d say. “If it’s just once, maybe we can work through it.”
“No. That’s what I meant before. We were headed into the ditch anyway. It was only a matter of time.”
“Why?”
“Eventually, you would have wanted to have the commitment conversation. And I just don’t do that.”
“You don’t commit? Seriously? You’re going to stand there and tell me that after this long?”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry?” she repeated. Angry and shocked, she stood staring at him for a long time, trying to decipher him. “You know what? Fine. Have fun with your new strumpet. Be sure to warn her that you’re a heartless ass and a complete waste of time.”
Ed absorbed the blow in silence. Chantal strode away, but rather than head to her car, she strutted across the lot, to the front of the cafe, tossing her still-full coffee in the trash. Returning to her car, she got in and started the engine. Before driving away, she flipped him the bird.
At least she hadn’t thrown the coffee at him.