Mine to Steal (Mine to Love) (32 page)

“
You
are the one who’s with someone.
You
are the one who doesn’t know what you want.
You
are the one who’s settling for less than you deserve. Maybe you’re right, we shouldn’t be around each other anymore.”

I walk to the door and yank it open for Faith to leave. She remains in place where I snapped at her, still unemotional. When she finally moves, she grabs her purse, her posture confident and sure as she passes me without a word.

The door shuts behind her, and I fist my hair in agitation as I lean against it. My head is screaming to chase after her and talk some sense into her, but that part in my chest - it tells me that I have saved myself from more irritation down the road.

“Today’s the big date, huh?” Jett asks through labored breaths as we run. I finally talked him into getting off his ass this morning.

“Yeah, Fiona.”

“Fi-OH-
na,” he enunciates before coughing from being winded. “Where’s she from?”

“I guess I’ll find out tonight,” I shrug while increasing my pace.

“Have you talked to Faith?”

“Nope. We’re not really speaking right now.”

“I noticed. But you’re not being a little bitch about it this time; what’s different?”

My strides increase more and Jett struggles to catch up, but somehow he manages and even passes me. I speed up and ignore his question
. “Doing anything with Cheyenne tonight?”

“Nah, she’s going out with her friends,” he shrugs half-heartedly, “so I guess it’s a quiet night at home for me since you’re not going to be around.”

He keeps running but I stop in my tracks and look at his wake. Jett stops running and places his hands on his knees while he tries to catch his breath. “Why’d you stop?”

“You’re really into this girl, huh?”

“What?” He laughs and tries to run again, but stops and looks at me. “Are you any different?” I run my hand over my jaw while I try to figure out where he’s going with the question. “You’re going out on a date with some girl, but you and I both know you’re in love with Faith.”

“In love? Are you serious? She’s
a friend. And sure, I think she’s gorgeous, and yeah, I’d like to see if there’s more between us, but all we do is argue.”

“And yet you both seem to like that,” he laughs.

“She’s got a boyfriend,” I remind him.

“Formality.”

“I’ve got a date tonight.”

He shrugs his shoulders
. “Not like you really want to go anyway.”

“We’re friends,” I say, “correction -
were
friends.”

“Alright, if that’s your story, but mark my words, you love that girl. I don’t care that it’s only been what, two months, but you do.”

“Can we finish this run? I have to get back home and get some work done before I meet Fiona tonight.”

“Lead the way, Bro,” he says, getting out of my way.

The run and subsequent shower did little to get my nerves in check. I hate when Jett decides to finally join the conversation and throws in observations I never asked him to make. I’ll use the energy to get some work done. Cavette and I discussed the next ad, and he made a few changes. Luckily they won’t take too much time to get done.

In the middle of adjusting the text, an email comes over. When I open it up to see
who it’s from, shock doesn’t cover it.

Emerson, Bradley
October 11, 2014 2:22 PM
To: Miller, Trey
Subject: Job Offer

Trey,

I was informed by Faith you offered her a job with your little startup company. We’ve talked it over extensively and even though she hasn’t made a decision, I’m sure she will do the right thing and remain with Rock Solid because there is more room for growth here. You certainly wouldn’t want her career to take the nosedive yours has taken, now would you?

You might have filled her head with ideas of better options, but I would appreciate you keep
ing your interest in my girlfriend strictly professional.

Regards
,
Brad Emerson
Rock Solid

Is he serious with this email?
She will do the ‘right’ thing?
He’s still the same pompous ass he was when we worked together. I shouldn’t bother responding to this message, but I think he needs to understand how valuable she is, since he’s clearly delusional enough to think she would stay where she isn’t valued.

We might not be talking at the moment, but I do want what’s best for her.

Miller, Trey
October 11, 2014 4:18 PM
To: Emerson, Bradley
Subject: Re: Job Offer

Brad,

I do not feel it is appropriate to discuss the offer I’ve made to Ms. Young with you. I respect any decision she makes whether she chooses to remain with Rock Solid or join my team at TM. My understanding is Cave Camo and Outdoor is extremely pleased with her work, and I want to acknowledge that. Rock Solid is very lucky to have her.

In the future, I suggest if you have concerns about Ms. Young’s career, you take
it up with her, as her decisions are her own and none of my business. I am certain wherever she goes, her professionalism and abilities will take her far in this industry.

Regards
,
Trey Miller
CEO
T.M. Enterprises

I hit send and try to focus on the day ahead. Faith hasn’t called me, and I haven’t attempted to contact her either, but this time it’s different. It was a choice I had to make for my own sanity, so I’m not on edge and lashing out at everyone like I did last week.

I miss her, but I had to do it.
And it’s obvious that she felt the same way because I haven’t heard from her either.

* * *

Fiona sent me a text earlier to confirm our date for tonight and although I’m not up for it, I’m going to do my best to enjoy it. The Bistro has an excellent menu, and it’s been far too long since I’ve been there.

Dinner at this place at seven is packed, so I got her a few minutes early to get our table. I gave the hostess my name and Fiona’s so she would know I’m already here. The waiter comes by and I order a bottle of wine
; I hope she likes red.

“Trey?” a soft southern voice asks, drawing my eyes up. I smile at her timid appearance and stand to introduce myself.

“You must be Fiona,” I offer for her as I reach out for her hand. She takes a seat across from me and sets her purse on the empty chair between us.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” she says. “I had to fly out to Texas when we were supposed to meet last time. My dad was sick
, and I was really worried.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Oh thanks, but he’s okay now.”

“
That’s good.” The waiter comes by and brings the wine. “Do you like red?”

“I do,” she beams, her dark blue eyes shining in the candlelight. Damn, she’s got a g
reat smile. “Will you excuse me, I need to go to the ladies’ room.”

She walks away and
it gives me a moment to scan over her body, which is a nice view. Her olive complexion and dark brown hair give her an exotic look, and if it weren’t for thick heavy drawl, I’d think she was from California. Of course I compare her to Faith whose fair complexion is flawless, like porcelain, and the amount of sass she can deliver with the narrowing of her eyes is sexy and I’m not sure she realizes it. Fiona is beautiful, but there is something about Faith that hooks me every time I see her.

Fiona emerges from the restroom hallway, sauntering toward our table with a sexy grin. The waiter is pouring the wine into our glasses and leaves as she takes her seat. We settle into easy conversation about the typical get to know you questions.

“So what is it you do?” I ask before taking a sip of my wine.

“I’m a second grade teacher.”

“You must be a patient person,” I laugh because there’s no way I could do what she does. “How long have you been a teacher?”

“This is my second year, so I’m not burnt out yet
.” She smiles. “But really, I love it. I always wanted to be a teacher. I used to get my younger sisters and make them sit at a table so I could tell them what to do.” She laughs at the memory and then furrows her brow. “On second thought, maybe I like telling people what to do. What about you, Kayla tells me you own a marketing company?”

“Yeah, I’ve been doing this since I got out of college, but I started my own business almost four years ago.”

“That’s great,” she says as she rests her elbows on the table. She seems to truly enjoy our conversation and I do, too. “It must be nice to be your own boss and not have to answer to anyone.”

I can’t help but laugh at the
notion. “Most people think that, but I have clients to I answer to, so I’m not really my own boss. But it is nice to pick and choose whom I take on. Which right now, is pretty much anyone.”

“Would I recognize anything you’ve done?” She leans forward and rests her chin on her clasped hands. I think about the local clients I have and the first one that pops into my head is the local grocery chain. Everyone around here knows them
, and when I give their name, she recognizes them. “That’s so neat,” she remarks before the waiter comes out to take our order, halting any further conversation.

The remainder of the evening has been enjoyable. To say Fiona is only beautiful, charming
, and smart would be an understatement. I actually enjoy her company, it’s easy. Granted it’s a first date, but easy nonetheless. The waiter brings out the bill, and I stuff my credit card into the sleeve and hand it back to him.

“This was nice
, Trey, thank you.” I’m not sure show long we’ve been here, but the restaurant crowd is thinning.

We stand up to leave
, and I walk behind her as we are hit with the cold night air. Her coat is draped over her arm, so I take it from her and help her put it on. She gives me a look of, ‘what next,’ but there is no
next
. Not tonight.

“It was really
great meeting you, Trey,” she says in a shaky tone, revealing that awkward moment of how to end the night.

“You, too,” I laugh softly.

“I’m sorry, I’m out of practice.” She smiles. “Do we hug? Shake hands? Walk away?”

I like her vulnerability and candidness
, it’s cute. I open my arms and step forward to give her, what can only be described as an incredibly awkward hug. I thought it was the way to go, but clearly I was wrong. It feels strange and forced hugging her; she’s too rigid and seems as put off by it as I am. When we let each other go, the tone has shifted. “Thanks for tonight, Fiona. I had fun.”

“Me, too.” She walks off
, and her smile disappears from her lips.

Since she demanded
an update when the date ended, I shoot of a text to Kayla

Me: Date’s over

Kayla: Give me five minutes. Call in a sec

I climb into my car and start making the
twenty-minute drive back to my place and think about how the evening went. My thoughts are interrupted by Kayla, who’s itching for information.

“So,” she asks when I answer. “What did you think? She’s great, right?”

“Yeah, she is.”

“But?”

“But what?”

“There was a pause, that translates to ‘she is, but.’ So what is it?”

“Honestly Kay, I’m too busy lately to pursue anything. I need to focus on work.”

“Are you kidding me? Is that what you’re going to pass off as your excuse for letting an amazing woman slip
through your fingers?”

“It’s not an excuse; it’s the truth,” I argue, irritated at her dissection of my words.

“Don’t take me for a fool, Trey. We’ve been friends far too long, and I know you. This has nothing to do with work and nothing to do with Fiona. This is about Faith.”

“How is this about Faith? I haven’t talked to her.”

“Exactly. You’re not talking to her, yet it’s preventing you from giving anyone else a shot. So why don’t you admit it; you’re in love with that woman.”

First Jett, now Kayla, what are they seeing that I’m not.

“We’re friends - well, we would be if we were speaking. She’s with someone else, so friends is all we can be.”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t love her.”

“Alright, on that note, I just got home and I have some things I need to take care of, so I’ll let you go. Bye, Kay.”

I pull the phone from my ear to hang up but I hear her call my name so I
bring it back to my ear.

“You know I love you
, Trey, and I want the best for you. You have to stop falling for unavailable women. I think it’s your way of protecting yourself, but you’re missing out on so much by closing yourself off. Think about what I’m saying, okay?”