Cold Feet

Chapter 35

RICK

I look at Viola on the other side of the room.

“What happened?” I ask.

“I can’t… we can’t do this. Please go,” she says. Then, as if realizing for the first time that she’s topless, she covers herself with her arm and moves back to the sofa where she snags her top off the floor and pulls it over her head. I watch her as she lifts her hands over her head to put her top on. The movement lifts her breasts and accentuates them and then she’s finished.

“Please go,” she says again.

Viola, c’mon. Let’s talk…”

“Get out!” she shouts.

I get up and make my way to the entrance hall. I open the door and let myself out. She follows me at a distance still covering her breasts even though she’s wearing her top again. I look back at her once I’m outside the apartment.

“Let’s just talk,” I say in a calm voice.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Viola says and closes the door in my face. I stand there for a few moments feeling anger and frustration. I want to kick the damn door down but I finally turn and head for the elevator lobby. I hope against hope that she’ll come running after me but when I step into the elevator and she doesn’t come running after me I know it’s not going to happen.

I exit the building downstairs and flag a cab. When it arrives, I give the driver my address and head home.

More than ever, I can’t get Viola out of my mind. I remember everything about our time in her apartment. What the hell happened, I wonder?

This time however she sends me a message after I’ve arrived home.

I’m sorry about this evening. I was wrong.

It’s okay, I reply.

I’m sorry. I can’t see you again.

Why?

need to explain. You’re in a committed relationship. I don’t get involved with people in committed relationships. I lost control tonight and I was wrong. I may not like Christine but I won’t break up even my

why can’t we see each

Look what happened

behave,

WILL get hurt, she replies. I’m guessing it will be me. I think it’s

bit drastic

Rick. All the best

number but it

send a message. Pick up the phone and

into bed. I think again of what we did and I

I left it on the sofa. I check for messages from Viola but there aren’t any. I have to hand it to her. When

I should be thinking of Christine. I didn’t even send

Viola. I know there’s simply nothing

to put her out of my mind for once and for

that though and by late morning I decide I need to talk to someone. I contact my friend Lewis and he agrees to meet for lunch at a sports bar where we always

up?” Lewis asks.

knack of seeing things from a different perspective. He’s always helpful that way. I’ve never leaned on him for help but now I do. We went to law school together but after we graduated he decided he didn’t want

tell him that I’m getting married and I tell

first reaction

each other more often,” he jokes. Next time I see you,

I say

I think you should stick with Christine. You’ve made the decision to ask her to marry you and that’s a huge

“What’s your point?”

a few relationships

you think it’s too soon for me to

just saying that’s what most people do. Some people marry their high school sweetheart and stay together for all their lives. Everybody’s different. I’m just

you

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