When Lightning Strikes

When Lightning Strikes: Chapter 13

A/N: I know there hasn't been any mention of the golden boy, but hold on, Jason Levine is coming into the picture in the next chapter! Hopefully we're all patient enough ... ;)

Love, Vanessa xoxo

The car ride back to my place was silent. I was still reeling from my revelation and I wasn’t sure if I was angry, hurt or sad. Maybe a bit of all three.

Even though Vince and Ruby had only just met a few times, they did have a certain chemistry that Vince and I did not have. Was keeping them apart the right thing to do? Was I that selfish?

I loved Vince … didn’t I?

Questions rang through my head, making me dizzy.

Was it just an infatuation? Was it because of his looks and gentlemanly manners? Was I always at ease with him…?

When Vince’s car pulled up the driveway, I braced myself. I needed to ask him. I couldn’t lie to myself and pretend to think that he was fully in love with me and committed to only me.

He noticed my tensed body and frowned.

“Thanks for today,” I stalled, feeling silly. I know I should have asked him straight away, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that just yet.

“It was all your planning, Gracie. You are simply wonderful.”

I couldn’t meet his eyes as I blurted out, “And do you think Ruby’s wonderful too?”

He still remained smiling, but I saw that it faded slightly. “Of course. She is your best friend.”

I shook my head, feeling my heartbeat starting to quicken considerably. I felt a great sense of sadness, but acceptance as well. If they wanted to be together because they clicked, I couldn’t be the home wrecker and come in between. I would be a horrible friend to hurt Ruby like that and knowing her, she wasn’t intentionally chasing Vince.

Vince and Ruby are good people and they wouldn’t want to hurt me like that. That was why I needed to end this, here and now.

“You know what I mean, Vince. I’m asking whether you like her. I’m asking if you have feelings for her.”

The only response I received was the crickets singing in the summer night. I peeked up from my lashes to see Vince, who was suddenly very interested in looking at the ground. I took that as his answer.

“It’s true isn’t it?”

He sighed. “Ma Cherie, I did not plan this. I am truly sorry. You are really a beautiful person, inside and out, and I … I am not the man for you, unfortunately. You deserve a better man, a man who can make you happy.”

My heart felt heavy. This was actually happening. He had just admitted that he reciprocated Ruby’s feelings.

“It’s fine,” I murmured. “C’est la vie.”

Vince chuckled as my use of French. “Mot juste.”

We both stood in front of each other quietly and on the edge of the driveway, looking away.

“I am sorry that it had to be like this,” Vince apologised.

“It’s fine really.” I put a hand on his shoulder to show him that I supported him. And of course, so he would look up. “Go and make Ruby happy.”

My eyes fluttered close as he leaned forward to place a kiss on my forehead. “Goodbye, Gracie.”

I savoured the feeling of his lips, knowing that this was probably the last time I would feel them. I didn’t dare open my eyes. Then I would see that he was leaving me … for Ruby.