Who knew I would get food poisoning from something I eat all the time? Helen said I needed to get out and have some fun, so we went to our usual haunt. The food is always excellent, and I loved it. Now, I regret it. It’s coming back with a vengeance.I can’t afford to have food poisoning. That would mean closing the store today. I don’t have anyone who can come in and cover for me today, not at short notice. Given the financial situation, I can’t afford to close.Damn, Micheal. The rage I’ve felt since I found out a month ago that he was my goddamn landlord is still there, simmering away and flaring to life whenever my thoughts drift toward him. And that ends up being a lot. I can’t believe I’m still thinking about the bastard after what he did.He lied to me. He could have told me the truth initially once he figured out what was happening. It was like he held all the cards and left me to guess everything on my own. I can’t believe I had sex with my landlord. Does he usually do this w
“If Regina keeps coming in here, I’m going to run out of books to sell,” I manage to joke.“With the way she’s going, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Mrs. Smiths laughs. “At least she’s got good taste. That’s what Micheal says, anyway. He and my other son love science fiction and fantasy.”I don’t know what to say to that. I busy myself with things behind the counter, only to feel my stomach lurch. It’s enough to make me grimace, and I grip the counter, making the room tilt slightly.“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Micheal is now frowning at me. “Lucia? Are you okay?”“I’m fine.” I manage a smile and slowly straighten up as the wave of nausea passes. “Just a touch of food poisoning, that’s all.”“Food poisoning? Should you be working?”“Haven’t got a choice. I’m the only one who can come in today, and I can’t afford to close.” I shrug. “Joys of owning a small business. I’ve been doing it for years, so this is nothing new.”Mrs. Smiths doesn’t look too happy about that.“But if you’re sick…” she begins
Why did Regina have to say something like that? Now, after trying to get Micheal out of my head, he was firmly in my mind and refusing to budge.Maybe shutting up a little earlier wouldn’t be a problem after all. Not if this headache that was building wouldn’t go away.MichealI’m exhausted when I finally pull into my driveway. This is far too much overtime, and I’m meant to be the boss. Why am I doing all the overtime? I know Katie isn’t too happy about it, and Mom is probably going to have a few choice words for me. She doesn’t mind looking after her granddaughter but has her own life to lead. I shouldn’t have to rely on her so much.Yet, whenever I slow down and do something that isn’t work, I’m reminded of Lucia and our confrontation. I can still see the pained look on her face and the anger as she left my office. Hell, even at work, I still recall what passed between us. It’s like I can’t get away from it.I want to go and look for her, try to apologize, and see what we can do be
We can have a proper conversation without a book in the way.”“Okay.”Regina disappears, and I hear her footsteps move through the house and into the kitchen. At least while she’s laying the table, we have a few minutes. I fold my arms and glare at Mom.“What do you think you’re doing?”“I don’t know what you mean.”“Taking Regina to Lucia’s store. Why would you do that?”Mom raises her eyebrows.“You’ve always wanted Regina to get into books. You were frustrated that if you told her to read, she would outright refuse to. Now she’s pouring into them so fast I can’t keep up, and you’re telling her you want to stop?”“Don’t give me that crap, Mom. You know what this is about.”“I don’t, actually. How about you give me a clue?”She is going to make me spell it out; I know it. And I’m not about to tell her the truth about me and Lucia. I try to take it slower so I don’t end up blurting out what I actually did.“You’re trying to match me up to Lucia, aren’t you? You go there under the pret
I have told Mom about Lucia being my tenant, but obviously not about what we’ve done. If I had, Mom would certainly push me to try and ask Lucia on a proper date. It’s been a long time since I went on a proper date, and she has been dropping hints more about it in recent months. I haven’t felt the desire to do it but with Lucia …I can see myself dating her. But with everything between us, I doubt that’s going to be anything we can do anything soon.Hearing that Lucia is unhappy and unwell is more concerning than wanting something intimate with her.“I think you should go and see her, Micheal,” Mom says quietly. “Not as a landlord, though. As a friend.”“I don’t think she will consider me a friend, Mom.”“You can but try. That’s what friends do. They look out for each other.”She does have a point, but I’m still unsure about it. Lucia can easily shut the door in my face. If I were lucky, I would get past the street door. But hearing that Lucia could be sick…I would have to try. Even
I have told Mom about Lucia being my tenant, but obviously not about what we’ve done. If I had, Mom would certainly push me to try and ask Lucia on a proper date. It’s been a long time since I went on a proper date, and she has been dropping hints more about it in recent months. I haven’t felt the desire to do it but with Lucia …I can see myself dating her. But with everything between us, I doubt that’s going to be anything we can do anything soon.Hearing that Lucia is unhappy and unwell is more concerning than wanting something intimate with her.“I think you should go and see her, Micheal,” Mom says quietly. “Not as a landlord, though. As a friend.”“I don’t think she will consider me a friend, Mom.”“You can but try. That’s what friends do. They look out for each other.”She does have a point, but I’m still unsure about it. Lucia can easily shut the door in my face. If I were lucky, I would get past the street door. But hearing that Lucia could be sick…I would have to try. Even
I have told Mom about Lucia being my tenant, but obviously not about what we’ve done. If I had, Mom would certainly push me to try and ask Lucia on a proper date. It’s been a long time since I went on a proper date, and she has been dropping hints more about it in recent months. I haven’t felt the desire to do it but with Lucia …I can see myself dating her. But with everything between us, I doubt that’s going to be anything we can do anything soon.Hearing that Lucia is unhappy and unwell is more concerning than wanting something intimate with her.“I think you should go and see her, Micheal,” Mom says quietly. “Not as a landlord, though. As a friend.”“I don’t think she will consider me a friend, Mom.”“You can but try. That’s what friends do. They look out for each other.”She does have a point, but I’m still unsure about it. Lucia can easily shut the door in my face. If I were lucky, I would get past the street door. But hearing that Lucia could be sick…I would have to try. Even
“That’s what you say to me? No ‘hi, it’s been a while’ or something like that?”“I’ve told you so many times that I don’t want anything to do with you. Why do you keep harassing me?”“I’m not harassing you, Lucia.”I hate his voice now. He makes it sound like I’m very slow in the head. He used to do that before. How did I not end it with him much sooner if he spoke to me like that?“You are. I’ve ended things, told you where to go, and the least you can do is respect my wishes and leave me alone. The fact that you’re not even listening to me when you say you love and respect me shows that you didn’t care about me and my feelings at all.”“I’m trying to get hold of you because I love you, Lucia. And what about my feelings?”“Your feelings?” I bark out a laugh. “I can’t believe you think you’re a victim here! Your feelings don’t matter when you’re the one who cheated and made our relationship implode. Then you keep stalking and pestering me.”Nathan groans.“Lucia, let’s not do this. Ca