Page 10 of Love Delayed

She held up a hand. “We’re not doing this right now, Marcus. I didn’t bring it up because I do not want to discuss that. This is certainly not a good time or place to talk about any of that.”

“I know it’s not, baby, and neither did I, but I need you to understand that leaving you was the biggest mistake of my life. I’m sorry I let my ego, anger, jealousy, and personal issues force you out of my life. I messed up. Please tell me that you forgive me.”

She swiped at her face, catching a tear as it fell from her eye. “I do forgive you, Marcus, and I did it a long time ago. If I hadn’t, there was no way I could have been anywhere near you yesterday.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding in.

“Thank you, and I know it may be too late, but I never stopped thinking of you.” I paused to consider what I wanted to say next and decided it would be best to use the opportunity that had presented itself to let her know. “And I never stopped loving you,” I confessed.

Suddenly, a loud horn sounded behind her, interrupting us.

She turned her head to look over her shoulder.

“That’s my sister,” she said, looking back at me. “I appreciate you saying what you said. Things are complicated, and my love for you is still there and strong, but I had to bury that and move on with my life.”

The horn blared again, her sister called out her name from the passenger seat, and a man exited the driver’s seat.

“I must go, Marcus. I have an important client today, and I can’t be late,” she said, backing away. “Take care, and maybe we can talk later.”

“Call the hotel,” I yelled. “The number is still the same!”

I prayed that she heard me as a man I assumed was her sister’s husband tossed her luggage into the back of the black SUV. I watched him get back inside, and within seconds, she was gone. I headed to my car, and the driver took my luggage from my hands. Once I was settled in the backseat, thoughts of Zamora came rushing back.

Damn, Marc, whatwere you thinking telling her that you still love her?You just got engaged! What if Zee shows up atthe hotel wanting to revisit that brief conversation and possiblyreunite? What will I say? How can I tell herthat I’m engaged? Will that break her heart allover again?

“Shit!” I said, my thoughts interrupted by my ringing phone. When I pulled it from my jacket pocket, I saw it was Eliana and let out a long, exaggerated sigh.

“Eli, what’s up? I just landed.”

“Not much, just doing some party planning. I have a couple of appointments today. Will you make it to join me?”

“I wish I could, but I must get to the hotel. With the canceled flight yesterday, I have to make sure everything is everything. I’ll have to catch up with you later.”

I heard her let out a disappointed sigh. “I didn’t expect to plan this engagement party alone, Marcus. I mean, you’re busy with everything but me.”

“Eli, I just landed, baby. Can we please not have a back-and-forth right now? I wanted a small party at my hotel, but you wanted something more elaborate. So, I told you to do your thang.”

“Yes, but I still wanted you to be present. Don’t worry about it. I got this! Later!” she said, then disconnected the call.

I should be ashamed to say I was relieved she cut our conversation short, but I wasn’t up to debating with her. Seeing Zamora had messed me all the way up. I needed time to regain my focus and try to forget I saw her again.

Chapter Three

Zamora

“Was that Marcus?” Zaria asked as soon as I closed my door.

“Yup, that was definitely Marcus,” I said and exhaled.

Turning almost entirely around in her seat to face me in the back seat, she asked, “Oh, my goodness, did you sneak out of town with him?”

“No, and turn your ass around. We ran into each other yesterday in Vegas when our flight was canceled.”

“And?” she inquired right before the driver’s side door opened and her husband slid in behind the steering wheel.

“And I’ll tell you later, but absolutely nothing happened. So, stop them damn wheels that are turning in your nosey-ass head.”

“I’ll let you off the hook for now, but I want to know everything, and you better tell me the truth, missy,” she said.