Her Brother's Best Friend - Aching Hearts Series #2

Chapter 21 - You and I belong together

CHAPTER 21 - YOU AND I BELONG TOGETHER

Riley sat at the café, wondering why was he there in the first place. It's true that pain drives out pain, but really, she was the last person he should ever turn to, to heal his broken heart.

When he'd gotten her message saying she was in town, he'd ignored it, but she'd insisted on meeting, and in the end he'd budged, wondering what was so important that she needed to tell him in person. Aside from 'let's try again', that is. She knew he wasn't willing to give it another shot, so she couldn't be so silly to fly all the way to Boston only to convince him, could she? Ugh, forget that, Lydia was crazy enough to do just that. Even if she claimed she was there for business.

It had been almost two years, why did she all of a sudden decide she wanted him back? Sure, she'd tried to convince him not to leave her when he'd decided he would, and she'd tried to convince him to get back together in the first months, but then she'd given up, so why try again now?

Riley sighed, leaning over the table as he passed a hand over his face. He hadn't been sleeping much lately, and how could he? With the way his heart kept aching, his mind chanting her name, it was impossible to even only think of sleeping. He was so tired, so worn out, he had no idea what was keeping him up during the day at work.

Even his colleagues noticed it, for how poorly they knew him, considering he'd barely started something less than a month ago. With the state he was in lately, dealing with his ex was really the last thing he might ever want to do, but he'd let her engulf him in her claiming she had some important things to tell him that she couldn't say over the phone, so he'd accepted, and now there he was, bored, waiting for her to arrive.

He barely touched his drink, feeling like vital strength had abandoned him once for all. He knew that rationally he was overreacting, but ... well, he'd never been good at keeping his emotional reactions in check. He wasn't Jason, he couldn't shut his heart like nothing, he'd never been able to. Sure, he wasn't the emotional type that cries a lot, but for sure was, he'd never suffered that much. And to think it was his Honeybee to break him like that.

Riley sighed, exhausted, wondering why didn't he just leave, considering there was nothing Lydia could have to tell him that he was willing to listen to, but right when he'd decided she wasn't worth his time, he heard someone clearing their throat and, looking up, he met those bright green eyes that seemed to mirror his, that ginger red mane he used to play with so often, that wide smile that was so sweet ... till it turned into psychotic, that is.

Lydia wasn't sick, she wasn't a psychopath or anything, she just was really paranoid when it came to her boyfriends, better said, when it came to him. Her friends had told him playfully that he shouldn't get on her wrong side, because her ex once dared cheat on her and she pretty much made his life impossible, till he just had to move in. It was weird how the stories about Lydia would make even the bravest man flinch, while her big smile only shouted sweetness.

Riley had been great with her, she was the sole one he'd ever really loved – well, aside from this teen that broke his poor heart recently – and aside from being overanxious and sometimes controlling, Lydia was really great. The only issue was the way she went from a bit dubious to downright paranoid when it came to the eventuality he'd cheat on her. Being jealous, Lydia brought it to a whole new level. That's why he broke it off, feeling asphyxiated.

And now there she was, standing in front of him, as beautiful as ever in her white sheath dress. Riley couldn't help but blink, having to admit he didn't remember her so ... stunning.

"Hello, darling." She greeted in a thick British accent – due to her having lived in England for long, but she was actually as much American as him, she just liked to show off the fancy accent – as she leaned down to kiss his cheeks lightly, then she sat down across from him that was still dumbfounded. "It's been a long time, don't you think? How are you, darling?" Lydia asked with nonchalance as she grinned widely at him.