Page 50 of Double Booked
“What about him?”
“He called last night, after you went to bed, and I answered.” His confession came out in a rush.
Her gaze was steady. “I already know.”
“He told you.”
She nodded. “I talked to him this morning.”
He wasn’t surprised Patrick had called again, but he wondered why she answered. She’d been ignoring his calls until now.
“I wasn’t going to answer, but he probably would have kept on calling.” She looked down at her hands clasped in her lap.
“What did he have to say?” he asked, struggling to sound neutral.
“He apologized for what he did and asked my forgiveness.”
His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “He wants you back.” It seemed like it took forever before she responded.
“I guess so.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“At first, I missed him. Then I realized I missed being part of a couple more than him. And now… You were right. I’m better off without him.”
He couldn’t hide his smile. “That’s good. For you, I mean.”
She nodded. “I’m curious. What exactly did you say to him?”
He relayed the conversation, brief as it was, and she laughed.
“You told him your last name?”
“I know. Stupid, right?”
“I’m sure he’s dying to know why you answered my phone.”
“Didn’t you tell him about the mix up at the rental agency?”
“It’s none of his business.”
Her response made him absurdly happy, but he still had to know something. “Were you mad when you found out I answered your phone?”
“Not really, but I wondered if you would confess.”
“I didn’t want to wake you last night, and I wasn’t sure how late you’d sleep in this morning. I planned on telling you when I got home.”
“And you did,” she said, smiling widely.
It felt like he’d just passed a major test. Then he remembered the gift. He took the bag from beside him and handed it to her. “I got you something.”
“A present? What for?”
“It’s no big deal. Just something we talked about.”
She opened the bag and pulled out the gift that was wrapped in tissue paper. She slowly peeled it back and gazed at the flannel shirt with an unreadable expression.
“I wasn’t sure of your size, but the clerk said we can return or exchange it. The color matches your eyes.” He hadn’t meant to add that, but there it was.
