The Sweet Encounter (Completed)

Chapter Six - The First

Trey watched as Brie inhaled her cheeseburger and fries. He was pleasantly surprised at her shocking appetite, but found it refreshing that she didn't hold back. She also was talking at a speed of 100 miles per hour. She didn't leave anything hidden, but spoke mostly about her younger brother, Brent, who was completing his Masters at Queens University. She had a lot of admiration and love for her brother, and had set aside her whole life to protect him. She felt her life was finally at ease, but now she was going into franchise territory which petrified her. However, she knew it was a lifetime opportunity that she couldn't deny.

When she finally took a breather, Trey felt comfortable enough to ask her questions since she seemed so open at the moment.

"So who is Jerry?"

Brie abruptly stopped the French fry from meeting at the tip of her bottom lip. She licked the ketchup off her lips and placed the French fry down. She blinked several times and didn't want to look Trey in the eyes. She felt uncomfortable talking about Jerry to Trey. Trey was a complete stranger. Would he understand the complicated situation between her and Jerry? What if it would dissuade Trey away? She took in a deep breath and decided this is who she was and if he didn't accept it, then so be it.

"How did you know about Jerry?" She did wonder how he knew about Jerry. Not once did she ever mention him. She was beginning to think he was a stalker.

"I was there the day he delivered flowers to your shop."

Brie felt embarrassed. She did remember that day. It was her interview with the business journal, and good ole Lacy read the card out loud in front of all the customers.

"Jerry and I dated for several years. Ever since before college."

"So he was your high school sweetheart?" Trey felt a little sting of jealousy.

"Yes, he was." She stopped eating all together, and he felt guilty for causing the discomfort in her. She fiddled with her French fry and looked out the window before looking at him. She almost felt guilty professing her story to him because she never spoke about it to anyone. "Jerry and I were engaged for a year, but." She paused for a moment. "Life got in the way. I became engulfed in my business and Brent was the only man in my life that was my priority. It wasn't something I was able to balance, so I made a choice to let him go."

Her mood changed and her words sounded broken. Trey wondered if she still had feelings for Jerry. The thought of her still yearning for Jerry caused another stab in his heart.

"Well, now that your life is finally aligned to your liking, how come you're not with him? I assume with the long history and a proposal, are you still in love with him?"

Brie was surprised by his direct questions, but she didn't feel nervous answering him. "I . . . love him, and always will. But no, I'm not in love with him." She looked down at her plate of food, and wondered if she should continue eating because she was feeling a bit nauseated pouring out her life to Trey. "Jerry is a sweetheart. Always attentive and kind to my needs, but there was something always missing. I can't pinpoint what it is, but it felt as if it was lacking . . . "

"Passion?"

Her eyes locked with his and she nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, there wasn't any." She didn't get the same feelings for Jerry like she did with Trey. Jerry felt safe and was perfect on paper, but her heart fluttered when Trey was with her.

Trey let out a sigh of relief. He didn't realize his emotions were so invested into Brie.

"I'm sorry, Brie. If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to."