If That Is What You Want✔

18

Larry pushed Laurent to accept every job they were offered, which would keep them busy for weeks if not months. Laurent hadn't forgotten the question he asked Larry but every time he asked why Larry thought Lyra not for him. Larry avoided the question. Finally, Laurent stopped asking.

Larry was happy at first then he noticed if they weren't working Laurent had nothing to say to him. He started spending all his free time with friends.

If they had to work Laurent would meet him there and leave alone when they finished. Laurent stayed in different hotels from Larry. Every time Larry tried to spend time with his brother, Laurent always seemed to have something else planned that didn't include him.

It didn't take Larry long to see Laurent was trying to distance himself from Larry. And no amount of pouting, bad moods or arguing convinced Laurent to spend more time with him. Larry didn't like this, he got rid of Lyra to spend more time with Laurent not less.

Laurent knew Larry was unhappy but he didn't care. When Laurent wasn't with friends, he was at the dance studio or movies or anything place he could think of that Larry wasn't. He knew it was childish but so what. Larry crossed a line and Laurent wouldn't forgive him until Lyra did. Laurent still loved his brother but he wondered if Larry ever stopped to think that Lyra may be the one person who could be his one. The person who you hold in your heart for the rest of his life.

He tried calling Lyra but her number had changed. He called Ashlie but she refused to give him the new number or pass a message for him. She did invite him and Larry to her annual cookout along with several other celebrities next month. He said he didn't know if they would have time. She said she understood if they didn't and told him to let her know.

He smiled remembering something Lyra told him.

"Ash?"
"That was fast, so is that a yes or no?" She asked.
"I no talk to Larry yet. Tell me how I reach Gabby." He asked.

~~~

Vincent accompanied Lyra every morning that week when she worked out. He gave her some helpful tips to get better results. That Friday, he asked her to accompany him to the opera.

Lyra reluctantly accepted.

Vincent was attentive, charming and treated her a delicate flower that could break steel beams with her bare hands. He seemed perfect and whatever his flaws were she couldn't see them and she didn't like not being able to see it.

At the opera, Vincent softly sang in her ear. She knew it was an Italian love song written before she was born, but he made her feel like it was pertaining to her.

Later he cooked her dinner at his place. She tried to help him cook but he kissed her hands, walked her around the kitchen island, then lifted her onto a bar chair. He told her to sit and watch, she didn't have to lift a finger when he was around, just enjoy being taken care of.

"Where did you come from?" She was mesmerized by his culinary skills.
"The next galaxy over." He joked. "Maybe I take you back home to see it. My people love Earth girls." He laughed as he cooked.
"As long as you promise to bring me back to Earth afterwards." She replied.
Vincent narrowed his eyes, "Can I finally get a smile?" She smiled at him. "Good try. Here maybe this will help." He held up a wooden spoon to her mouth and she tasted the sauce.

It was a perfect blend of spices and tomatoes. She closed her eyes and sighed contently.

"Lyra?" Vincent turned off the stove and walked around to stand in front of her.
"It's one of the best things I've ever tasted. You are an excellent cook." She replied looking at his face. He sat beside her.
"There is no pressure here. I have an overly inflated ego, it can withstand a few hits but I'm trying my best here and you still seem unsure." He smiled. Lyra pursed her lips.
"I don't feel pressured. I have a few more questions." Lyra looked away. "I was just wondering about your last relationship. I mean you seem like great person, what are your flaws?"

He was suddenly very serious.

"I'm not ready for children."
"Please tell me you didn't leave some poor girl pregnant and alone." Lyra asked. His face relaxed.
"No, nothing like that. Aly and I can't have children so Aly wanted to adopt. I don't think I am ready to have a family, yet." He walked back into the kitchen and pulled a casserole dish from the oven, poured the sauce inside the put it back in the oven.

"I know it's early but I do want children eventually." Lyra replied.
"So do I but not right now." He replied.
"Okay." She nodded.
"Tell me why you didn't tell the last guy the reason you decided to leave after he told you he loved you."
"Wow, you take notes or what?" Lyra asked.
"I'm good at remembering, now stop changing the subject." He winked.
"I told you before, I couldn't take anymore abuse and I still feel the desire to knock his brother unconscious." Lyra frowned as Vincent shook his head no.
"Excuses and avoiding the question, nice. Care to try again?" Vincent asked removing the salad from the refrigerator.
"I don't like this." She replied.
"How can you move forward with me if you are still hung up on him?" Vincent stopped to look at her. Lyra sighed.
"I am afraid of having my heart broken anymore than it already was."
"Still is." He corrected, "All you had to do is tell him exactly how you feel." Vincent replied.
"I can't be with you because your brother hates me and has proved he will do anything to keep us apart. Would you understand if I said that to you?"
"No, I only have sisters." He replied. "My point is, men don't always understand women. You say things and mean something else, which makes you harder to decipher than others. You need to say what you mean. Poor guy is probably so confused and just as hurt as you."

~~~

"No." Ashlie replied. "There is no good that can possibly come from talking to Gabby."
"I want to meet her."
Ashlie laughed, "Gabby won't help you with Ly. And if, Gabby finds out what your brother has been doing to Ly. The hurt that Ly put on him will seem like a hang nail compared to what Gabby would do to the both of you. For your own good forget about contacting Gabby or anyone else from Lyra's past."
"Either help me reach Lire or I'm going to Maryland to find her myself." Laurent threatened.
"Your funeral." She hung up.

~~~

After Vincent drove her home, Lyra stared at her phone debating if she should call Laurent or not for hours. Vincent told her they could be friends until she was over Laurent but he wasn't going to allow her to lie to herself.

Lyra didn't know what to say but she called Laurent.

"Who this?" Larry answered and she hung up. A minute later, her phone rang. She considered sending it to voicemail but answered the phone.

"Hello?"
"Lire?" Laurent breathed. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. I called to apologize." She said slowly.
"I sorry Larry answer..."
"Laurent! Please let me go first. I'm sorry I gave up on us." Lyra took a deep breath.
"Lire, do you love me?"
"Would it matter now?" She asked.
"Maybe." He replied.
"I want you to be happy and a selfish part of me wishes I could have been happy with you." Lyra replied.
"Why don't you?"
"I don't want to hurt you. You love Larry. I- don't share the feeling. I'm sorry." Lyra replied.
"So that it? You just push me aside." Laurent yelled.
"I obviously can't compete with your brother and I am not going to try!" Lyra hung up.

~~~

That weekend, Vincent spontaneously decided to sail them to Italy on his boat. He took her sightseeing, visiting vineyards and several festivals. He showed her off to his friends.

He introduced her by name with no title, which was fine with her. They hadn't been dating two weeks and she wasn't in a rush. Vincent's friends were very welcoming and jokingly invited her to return without Vincent so they could talk without him hovering.