Love Is Gone, So Am I novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: One Question

Gus was standing in the jewelry shop window, three feet away, pretending to polish a watch.

He wasn't polishing it. He was looking at me.

"Dinner," I said to Davis.

"Just dinner. The inn at the top of the street. I booked a table." He put his hands in his pockets. "One hour. Then I'll drive home and never come up here again, if that's what you want."

I thought about saying no on the sidewalk.

But I'd already said no to him on that sidewalk, with a crowd and a contract.

I wanted to say it once across a table, quietly, with nobody to perform for.

"One hour," I said.

I didn't change. I went in my green work dress with sweet pea petals stuck to the hem.

The inn's dining room had low beams and candles in old wine bottles and a view straight down Front Street to the lake.

Davis held my chair.

He ordered for me. Then he caught himself.

"Sorry," he said to the waiter. "She'll order."

I ordered the trout. He'd never once let me order fish at Merriam House, because Celia thought it smelled up the dining room.

"You look happy," he said.

"I am happy."

"Here?"

"Here."

He turned his water glass around on the tablecloth.

"I'm sorry about the email," he said. "To the brides. I didn't know Mother sent it until it was sent."

"You knew at the open house."

"Yes."

"And you didn't say anything."

He looked at the candle.

"No," he said. "I didn't."

The trout came, and it was very good.

"Why are we here, Davis?"

He took a breath.

"I miss you," he said. "The apartment's quiet. Nobody leaves flowers on the counter. Vanessa doesn't..." He stopped. "It's not the same."

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