Page 27 of Forever Mine
“If it's all good and you look like you want to bite my head off … ” Vaughn laid a hand on her chest. “I wouldn't want to see your face if you were really upset.”
Vaughn’s honesty tickled my funny bone, but I didn’t feel like laughing. Lucy had the power to make me see red and right now, I wished she’d give me a break. “Sorry. That was my ex. She calls me … every so often.”
Vaughn studied me for a bit before she said, “Maybe you should talk to her.”
“How d’you know I haven't?”
“If you were talking to her, maybe she wouldn't still be calling you.” She wiped her lips and laid the napkin on her lap. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” I tensed, but forced my shoulders to relax because I didn’t want to seem cagey.
“When we had the mix up at the hotel. Was she the person who called?”
Holding her gaze, I said, “Yeah.”
“Aaahhh.” She lifted her fork, but didn’t take her eyes off me.
“What's that all about?”
She ignored my question and shot one at me. “The two of you still haven't talked since that time?”
Next to my hand, the phone screen lit up. I ignored it and focused on Vaughn. “No.”
“Why?” She slipped a bit of cake into her mouth and laid down her fork.
A burst of laughter from the group of women sitting at the next table drowned Vaughn’s voice. I thought about not answering her, but that wasn’t an option. She was only trying to help.
“Because I've got nothing to say to her.” My answer was curt and my tone impatient. Vaughn didn’t deserve that. I sighed and touched her hand. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't be taking this out on you.”
“Don't worry about it, but … ” She pulled her hand away and held up one finger. “Your reaction tells me there are things you need to put to bed before you can move on.”
Sitting back in my chair, I said, “You know you're a one-of-a-kind woman, right?”
She dipped her head in acknowledgement. “Yeah, I've been told that a time or three and I know what I'm talking about.” After studying me some more, she added, “Until you sort out whatever you both have going on, she'll keep calling.”
I waited while she sipped fruit punch, sensing she had more to say. “And, you won't be at peace until you get this out of your system.”
“Why d’you think so?” I asked, folding both arms across my chest.
She shrugged. “Call me intuitive, but honestly? It's all in your vibe. Your back was up just now and you didn't even talk to her.”
“Yeah, well, that's the way things are right now.” The sour note in my voice was obvious, but this woman made me want to do something different about my current situation. I was tired of this cat-and-mouse game with my ex.
Vaughn dropped her napkin on the table and leaned toward me. “Not to flog a dead horse, but I can't help asking, what the heck did she do to you?”