Cheaters (completed)

Chapter Two

Chapter two
Out of sight, on the sidewalk, I walk, look around and am pretty excited about Vegas. The lights all around me and the people. There are a lot of people here, like New York.
I find a cute Italian restaurant and hurry inside thinking that Travis might be trying to find me.
"How many people?" I'm welcomed by a smile and Italian music playing in the background.
"Just one."
He takes an overall look at me. "All by yourself? In Vegas?"
"Yeah, I guess." I chuckle.
"Alright, follow me."
He places me by a window on a table for two. That's fine, no issue here. I'm here to eat because I'm starving.
"Anything to drink? Or do you want a starter? Soup or salad?"
"Absolutely, I'll have a glass of red wine and a Caesar Salad, please?"
"Coming right up."
While I'm waiting, I text Justin.
Are you still up?
If it's 6:30pm here, so it's 8:30pm at home. He is most definitely home. I decide to call him instead.
"Hey, babe."
"Hey, Justin. What are you doing?"
"I'm leaving the gym and going home. You?" He sounds out of breath or tired.
"Having dinner by myself." I sip on my wine. "I haven't seen anyone I know yet."
"I hope you aren't bored or lonely."
I chuckle. "No, after the flight here, and our conversation from earlier, I want some down time on my own." That is one thing I've always liked about Justin. We can talk after an argument. Neither one of us is spiteful. I admire that. 
"Yeah, I get it. It's been a long day. As soon as I'm home, the couch will be my buddy. My legs are too heavy."
"Leg day, uh?"
He laughs and I smile at the sound. We like to live a simple life. Our routine of work, gym sessions, and date night suit us. With him, I'm in my comfort zone. Leaving him would force me out of that. Although I always have that white noise in the back of my mind that he might have cheated on me. That part sucks and can steal away my joy so fast it gives me whiplash.
"I bet you found a nice Italian restaurant and you are going to try their manicotti." His guess is exactly what I intend to do.
"Absolutely." My stomach growls at the thought of eating my favorite meal.
"Look, babe, it's starting to rain here and I have a few more blocks to run. Can I call you later?"
"Running on top of a leg day?" Is he serious?
"Yeah. I should have taken the car but I felt like I needed to push myself harder today."
"Okay. Talk to you later."
"I love you." I can tell he is running at this point.
"I love you too." I press end.
My salad arrives minutes later and I cannot wait for my manicotti. This is the best recipe of the entire world.
As I eat my greens, I look outside the window and relax. Words from Travis echo in my head and it gets me confused more than anything. If his wife cheated on him, he must know the patterns. Maybe I'm too naive but part of me still believe there's good in Justin. Unless he says so himself or if I see a videotape, I'll never be 100% sure if he's lying or telling the truth.
I love him, yes I do.
The question is am I willing to live my entire life riddled with doubts on what might have happened, or what might happen years down
As if I want to imagine Justin with another woman. I can't.
My main meal is served with fresh bread and I think I'm going to gain weight tonight. I plan on eating it all. Eating my emotions sounds like a good plan about now.
From afar, I see Travis walking with women and men. Guessing he had found more people from Linscott Holdings. A little part of me wishes I was the woman walking next to him. I wonder if he is like he was with me with every woman. Throughout the week, I will find out.
My plate is empty and so is the basket of bread. I can't believe I've eaten it all. I'm such a pig and should go for a run later tonight or in the morning.
"Will you take a dessert or coffee, ma'am?"
"Oh no, I want to but I can't or you'll have to roll me out of the restaurant. I promise I'll come back though because I love cannoli and I see that you make those."
"How long are you here for?" The waiter asks.
"I'm flying out on Friday." I'll have plenty of time to come back and besides, their manicotti was delicious.
"I hope we get to see you again. I'll get your check."
I pay and leave. There is no easy way to put it, I have eaten beyond capacity and I have food coming out of my ears. Going for a walk as I had planned is the best thing I can do or I will end up sleeping in my hotel room.
The sun is setting and the lights of the buildings shine brightly. New York has action night and day but here, it's different. It has a definite party vibe. You know what they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Well, I get how people can do crazy things here. There's temptation all over the place. Tattoo shops, casinos, clubs etc. The idea of getting a tattoo is tempting. Maybe. Who knows? I think I'm going to check it out. New ink would be fun.
"Willow." I hear my name being called from across the street. I know who it is. "Willow, over here."
I spot Travis with a coffee cup on his lips. It looks like he is downing it.
"Travis. What are you doing?"
"Stay there. Don't move." Travis is sitting with people but he doesn't seem to care much about since he is running toward me.
"Willow... I gotta ask..." His eyes on me are making me warm. I don't know what's going on with me.
"What?"
"How old are you?"
What kind of question is that?
"Old enough."
"Is that old enough to know better than run away in an elevator when someone is trying to talk to you?"
Shit! He got me right here and now. I don't know what to say. "I needed time by myself."
"Why not say so? Or do you enjoy being chased?" His hoarse voice mixed with the closeness between us two is making it hard for me to think.
I can't let him see through me. "Being chased? I'm engaged, Travis."
Shaking his head, he took my hand, the one with my engagement ring. "This is a promise of faithfulness, but is he?"
"Travis, why are you doing this?" One step closer to me, he lets go of my hand and takes my cheek into his hand.
"Isn't it obvious?"
My pulse is at full speed. What is going on?
"No," I whisper.
He smiles. "When I saw you at the bar, I was drawn to you like a magnet."
Like a magnet?
"Travis, I think you know better. I don't buy it." It's cute and flattering, but come on. If I remember correctly, I was by myself in the bar so it's not like he had many other women to feel attracted to.
"Willow, I'm not trying to..."
Pushing away from him and his hold on me. "Stop, go back to your friends and have a good night. I'm not sure what you're trying to do or say but it isn't going to happen."
"Give me just a minute of your time." I can see in his eyes that he's begging me.
"You don't know me or my story, you know a little part and I don't know you. I'm sorry but... I'm trying to understand."
He gets closer to me again. "I'm not sure I can explain myself without looking like a total creep or lunatic."
"Try." The least I could do was to give him the chance.
"I have been in your shoes before and decided to go ahead with the wedding. It was a mistake and at a high price too." Again, his hand covers my cheek. "To top it all off, you are gorgeous and I would like to get to know you."
"We're here for work, the seminar remember? You want to get to know me because you think I'm cute but what happens when we both go to our separate homes Friday and move on with our lives? Getting to know me in five days is a waste of time, for you and me. I don't know what's going to happen with Justin when I get back home but whatever I decide, doesn't guarantee you being in my life."
"Admit it, you think I'm cute too." I can't believe the nerve of this guy, he's dead serious.
Of course, he's handsome. He's taller than me, with pale hair and sexy 5 o'clock shadow. Not super buff like Justin, but I can still see the muscles through the fabric of his shirt, around his biceps and that's sexy. With all that being said, I can say that he's my type of guy.
"You're not so bad."
With a cute roll of his eyes, he snickers. "I'll take that as yes, you think I'm cute."
"Why do you want to know? Chances are we won't ever see each other again."
He kisses my forehead which leaves me perplexed. "You know, I knew the attraction was mutual. If you didn't think I was cute, you wouldn't have run away from me earlier. You see me as a potential threat to your man. I'll take it. So what are we doing now? You have plans?"
"Yeah, but you already had plans with your group of friends so, I'll just see you tomorrow."
He laughs. "Not a chance. You aren't going to push me away. I'm tagging along. So, where to?"
Oh my God, that man is stubborn as hell but in a cute way. Getting rid of him will be impossible and well, he makes me curious. So, as long as it stays innocent, I'm good.
"Tattoo shop."
His jaw falls and his eyes sweep my legs and arms for a hint of ink. Nope, all of my ink is hidden.
I blush. "Yep, I like tattoos so are you still tagging along?"
He nods looking surprised.