Ruby Red, The Sequel - The Romance Story Continues (Complete)

Chapter 33

Ali had spent the evening with Noah. He had insisted she not eat in her hotel suite again. At the time, Ali had to admit the idea did sound appealing. She knew only Scout would be waiting for her. The dog had many great qualities, but sparkling conversation was not one of them.

She craved the distraction. Anything to delay the inevitable.

Ali had a decision to make and she had been putting it off for days. Partly because she was embarrassed by her actions. Running out on Sam that night had been a bit childish. Sam for his part never called her on it. He texted her multiple times a day, begging for forgiveness, promising to never hurt her again, asking her to talk to him.

Eventually, she was going to have to properly respond to Sam, beyond the few words she texted back now and again to let him know she was alive and listening. Missing him desperately, all she really wanted to do was run back into his arms and inhale his citrusy scent.

But she had to figure out how she fit into Sam's life first. Had to have a reason to be, outside of her relationship with Sam. She had to be more than just Sam's girlfriend, pulled in as a companion for dinners or to solve a party planning emergency.

Ali required a purpose in life. She needed independence. Since leaving the apartment, she had been forced to look at her life without the excuse of waiting for Sam to come home clouding her thoughts. And she didn't like what she saw. Too much of her life had been carved out by others. First her parents, then her ex-husband. After her divorce, she allowed her friends to decide her fate. When Sam entered her life, things improved vastly.

Somewhere along the way, she had slipped into old patterns. Perhaps it was the move to new surroundings. Unsure of herself, she had given up a part of herself in favour of what Sam needed. It wasn't the same as with her exhusband. Sam didn't purposely manipulate her or push her to do anything. Just the opposite. He always supported her and her decisions. She had simply let it happen.

It was a depressing realization. Ali would have liked to talk to Sam about it. He would know what to say or do. But there was the problem. This was something she needed to figure out herself. So she could return to Sam a complete person, not drowning in these insecurities. She needed her own roots to hold her so she couldn't run again. 

When Noah asked her to dinner, the thought crossed her mind to open up to him. Plus, Noah was eager to cheer her up and look after her. And Ali was keen at that moment to be doted upon. Calling the hotel, she arranged for the resident dog walker to look after her furry roommate and agreed to dinner with Noah.

It had been a mistake.

The evening had started out on the right foot. Noah made reservations at a popular sushi place, pulling some strings to get them in. Ali loved sushi but Sam was not a big fan. Sam didn't protest when she wanted to go for the Japanese delight, tagging along and happily finding something on the menu to eat. But he squirmed at the sight of Ali's raw fish selection, preferring his coated and cooked. So, it had been a treat to sit in a swanky restaurant with someone else who appreciated the subtle delicacies placed before them.

Speaking to the waitress like they were old friends, Noah ordered for both of them. Noah regaled Ali with stories of the two years he had spent in Tokyo and his hit and miss adventures in the food department. It was the escape from real life Ali thought she had needed. They had laughed and moaned with delight as they tried each dish, fighting over the last piece of tuna sashimi.

Noah had insisted they pair their dinner with shots of sake. The strong liquor cleansed the palate between courses and Noah was liberal with each pour into her glass. Soon, Ali felt the warm sensation from the effects of alcohol spreading through her body, relaxing her. Her troubles seemed a little further away now.