Always You - A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 13

"I'm glad you'll be staying on the project," Chris said. His relief was obvious in his voice and his facial expression had finally relaxed since we started talking. "I was stressed about trying to find another you to head the project."

I laughed and smiled at Chris, finally feeling some relief from the stress that was this week.

"I'm glad I'm staying too," I replied, echoing his sentiment.

"We'll discuss the details - and your pay bump - when you're back in Long Beach," Chris said with a wink. I smiled widely.

"Thank you!" Chris nodded and patted my arm proudly. We walked down the hall of the convention center as vendors packed up around us.

"You and Luke talked?" Chris asked me, glancing down at me out of the corner of his eye. I felt color rush to my face. "You don't have to disclose any details; but you two are good now?"

"Yeah, we're good," I said hesitantly. I wasn't sure if Luke had mentioned anything to Chris yet.

"Good," he said. He cleared his throat loudly as if to signal he wouldn't ask anything else. We walked out onto the Chicago street, the heat finally having broken with the sun setting.

"Well, thank you for all your hard work this week. I know you have one more night in Chicago until you leave tomorrow, so please have a nice dinner tonight."

"Thanks, Chris. I will," I replied. Chris flagged a taxi for me back to the hotel. We said goodbye and I climbed into the back of the taxi, finally feeling a little at ease from this trip.

When I got back to the hotel, I called Nick. Anxiety bubbled inside me as the phone rang, followed by guilt at the small part of me that hoped he wouldn't pick up.

"Hey!" Nick said, sounding cheery when he picked up.

"Hi, Babe," I said. I hoped my voice sounded as positive as his. I didn't want a repeat of last night.

"How was the trip? I'm looking forward to you coming home tomorrow."

"It's been good, a little stressful, but good," I replied. I stripped off my blazer and threw it on the bed, sitting down in the armchair in the corner of the room.

"That's good," he replied. I could hear him typing in the background. I glanced at the clock and did some quick mental math - he was still working.

"I'm sorry, I forgot you're still working. This time change has me all turned around," I said with an awkward laugh. Nick laughed awkwardly on the other line.

"Yeah I'm at the office still, but I'm not too busy to chat for a bit."

"I'll make it quick. I got a promotion! Well, kinda. It's not official but it's happening! I should have more details next week," I said excitedly.

"That's great! You'll have to tell me all about it," he replied. He sounded happy for me, but distracted. I knew it was a bad time since he was at work.

"Thanks, love," I said. "We'll talk tomorrow when I'm home though. I know it's a bad time since you're at the office."

"Okay, no worries. Text me your flight information so I can track your flight tomorrow," Nick said.

"Okay.... I love you," I said hesitantly. Nick paused before replying making my stomach twist in knots.

"I love you too," he replied, his voice more melancholy than before. "Always. Get some rest tonight."

I sat on the armchair for a little after the call ended, an empty feeling in my stomach. I was unfamiliar with feeling this way after talking to Nick. Sure I've felt sad, or angry, after an argument with him - but emptiness? I chewed my lip as I waited for another feeling to rouse within me, but none came. I made a mental note to find a marriage counselor in our area when I got home this weekend. We had to fix us.