Heartbreak 'n Heels

Chapter 7

It was a bright Tuesday morning. The brilliant sunlight shined through the car window, nearly blinding Erica. She let down her visor and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Adele's "Rumor Has It" blasted through the car and she sang along. Her phone pinged and she smiled at the name on the text.

You were on my mind this morning. Have a great day. Deacan had written.

Always nice to be thought about. You have a great day as well. She replied after pulling into a parking spot. Erica walked into her job and found Jonathan standing at the front desk talking to the receptionist.

“Good morning.” Erica spoke to both of them to be polite. Everyone in the office knew she and Jonathan were no longer together. She wasn't sure if they knew the reason, but she also didn't really care. She just wanted to keep things professional. Jonathan spoke to her and turned back to his conversation. This was unusual as he took every opportunity he could to engage with her. Maybe he finally understood it was over for them.

She continued to her office and saw Jennifer wasn't at her desk. Thank God for small miracles. She made it to her office and closed her door. There were only three more days left for her at this company and it was starting to hit her that she would be saying goodbye soon.

Erica sat at her desk and started her computer. She thought of the people she'd miss here and the clients she'd helped. Helping people find the job that was right for them, that gave them a sense of purpose made her feel proud. Though her accounts had been transferred to her replacement, she still needed to do updates on information and inform her contacts that she was leaving. Erica picked up her desk phone and was interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Jonathan came through the door and closed it. He leaned back on it and stared at Erica. She just looked back at him, her face neutral. He crossed the room and sat in the chair across from her. A full two minutes passed before Erica broke the silence.

“Do you need something?”

“Yes. You.”

Erica was used to this and had grown tired of his pursuit. “Jonathan, for the last time -”

He held up his hand to stop her and said, “Erica. I know I messed up and then messed up again, but when I tell you I am sorry, I mean it. I need you. I was stupid and took you for granted. You've always been there for me and I honestly don't know why I cheated. That's on me to figure out, not you, but I'll do whatever I have to do to get you back. I have to fight for you! I don't want Jennifer. She's not you. I was so stupid!” Jonathan stood up and rounded her desk. He got on one knee in front of her and cupped her face. His right thumb caressed her cheek. “I'll give you whatever space you need. I'll work on me and fix me. I won't give up on you. I love you, Erica.”

There were tears in his eyes. Erica hadn't seen Jonathan this emotional since his parents' funeral. They'd died in a car accident a year and a half ago. He was devastated and Erica had been by his side through it all. There had been days where he wouldn't even get out the bed. She would just lay there and feel his tears on her chest.

She saw that man now. The man that she'd fallen in love with. The man who would sing to her when she was sad to make her laugh because his voice was horrible. She was looking at the man that had held her heart for so long.

“I don't want you to say anything. I just wanted you to know that I'm going to fight for you. No matter how long it takes.” Jonathan stood up and walked out the office.

Erica sat stunned at his words. She didn't know how she felt about this. On the one hand, he'd crushed her with his cheating. On the other hand, this display of affection was unexpected and stirred her heart. Before she could travel further down that rabbit hole, her phone pinged with a message from Deacan.