Follow You (Second Chances Series Book 3)

Woman trouble...

I've had meetings all day so it's not until after five that I check my messages. I've just stepped outside and I'm about to hail a cab when I hear Leo's voice.

"Andrew, Abby left to go back to Chicago. I tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen to me. Call-"

I hang up before he finishes and get in the taxi that just pulled up to the curb. I call Abigail and I'm sent right to voice-mail. Next I text her, asking her to please pick up the phone, but when I don't get a response right away, I call again. And again, I get voice-mail.

"Fuck!"

I see the cab driver look at me through the review mirror and I give him a little smile.

"Sorry about that. Woman trouble."

He gives me a sympathetic nod in return. When he pulls up in front of my hotel room, I pay him and get out. Once in my room I try to call Abby again. Still no luck so I call Leo back.

"Andrew, I'm sorry, man, I tried to talk some sense into her."

"It's not your fault Leo. I know how stubborn she can be. She won't answer my calls."

"She's not answering mine or Emma's either. What are you going to do?"

"I guess I'm going to Chicago. I have a meeting I can't skip tomorrow morning but then I'll get the first flight out that I can after."

"Good luck. Let me know if I can do anything to help."

"Thanks, Leo."

I hang up and then try Abby one more time. This time I leave a voice-mail.

"Sweatheart, what are you doing? Please don't do this. Call me back so we can work this out. Please."

I disconnect the call and throw my phone on the bed.

"God dammit!" I pace back and forth.

I knew I shouldn't have left this morning. I should of stayed and talked to her about everything. I knew she was getting ready to bail on us but I really didn't think she'd leave like this. I figured she'd tell me she was leaving and I'd be able to sweet talk her into staying and if that didn't work, I'd beg her.

Now I have to cut my trip short and fly to Chicago and pray she'll answer the door and hear me out. Tomorrow's going to be a long day that I sure as hell hope has a happy ending.

I decide I can't do anything about it right now since she won't answer my calls so I head down to the hotel restaurant for a drink and some food. I have a seat at the bar and order a bourbon. I'm looking over the menu when I feel someone sit next to me.

"Hello, Andrew."

Well shit. This is not what I want to deal with right now.

"Hello, Chloe."

I should of known she would be here but honestly I didn't give it any thought. We've only seen each other a handful of times since our breakup. Each time she's hinted at the fact that that she'd like to try again. I didn't have any desire then and I sure as hell don't now.

She reaches over and places her hand on my arm.

"I was so sorry to hear about your baby. How are you and, what was her name, Allie?"

"Abby, her name is Abby. We're hanging in there."

"So you're still together?"

I turn back towards my drink and take a long sip.

"Yes."

"That didn't sound like a very confident yes. Do you want to talk about it?"

I almost laugh out loud but I manage to hold it in.

"Look Chloe, I appreciate your concern but I don't think you're the best person for me to talk to about my relationship troubles."

"Why not? We're friends."

I cock my head to look at her.

"Are we?"

She gives me her best smile.

"I like to think so. Look, we don't have to talk about Allie,"

I give her a look. "Abby."

"Right. We don't have to talk about Abby if you don't want to. We can just sit here as two old friends and enjoy a drink and a nice meal while we catch up. Sound good?"

I know I should tell her no and go back to my room but if I do that I'll just sit there and try to call Abby a million more times. Then when she doesn't answer I'll just get more and more pissed off. So instead I turn to Chloe.

"Sure."

I don't talk about Abby. Or Olive. Instead we talk about work, her family and our mutual acquaintances. Overall, it's not a bad night and it did keep me from obsessing over Abby. Too much.

When we've both finished our meals I take the check when the waiter lays it on the table.

"I've got it."

"Thank you. You always were the perfect gentleman."

I just give a little smile and nob as I place my card along with the check back on the table. After the waiter takes it Chloe leans forward.

"Would you like to come to my room for drink?"

"Chloe, you know I can't."

"Can't or don't want to?"

Chloe is a beautiful, smart and funny woman and when we were together we were good. Until we weren't. I thought I was in love with her and at the time I probably was. But what I had with Chloe wasn't an all consuming, from now until eternity kind of love. Not like with Abby. So I answer her honestly.

"Both." She looks hurt by my answer so I go on. "Look Chloe, you're an amazing woman and I enjoyed the time we had together but we couldn't make it work then and we wouldn't be able to make it work now. I'm sorry."

The waiter returns with my card and I sign the receipt before standing up.

"I really am sorry. It was nice catching up with you." I lean down and lightly kiss her on the forhead. "Goodbye, Chloe."