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

Chapter 36

The night before took on new meaning for Sam now. Noah, confidently strolling across the lobby. Noah had been with Ali. In her room. The thought made Sam ball his fists.

He had known Noah's intentions all along. Knew from the moment he saw the video of Noah helping Ali into the cab, playing hero with the reporters. Knew Noah wanted his girlfriend. Sam squeezed his eyes shut as if he could not see the image of Ali in the other man's arms.

But Sam couldn't unsee it. Couldn't turn back time and undo the mistakes he had made, couldn't try harder to keep Ali. He had been foolish, taken his eye off the ball and lost the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Had Ali just wanted to meet him at the gallery to break up with him? Is that why she suggested lunch rather than staying in the hotel room and talking things out with him? She wanted somewhere public to tell him she no longer loved him.

Would she have told him about Noah? Or would she have tried to spare his feelings with a platitude like "It's not you, it's me." Would she have waited until after lunch or ripped the band-aid off as soon as they sat down? Sam swirled his ginger ale, playing out various scenarios of what Ali's break up plan might have been.

Beside him, on the bar, Sam's phone started vibrating. Looking down he was greeted with the smiling face of Ali. The sight of her hit him in the gut. It was a picture he had taken of her back when they first met. It seemed a lifetime ago. Sam couldn't remember the last time he had seen Ali so carefree and happy like she was in that photo.

Sam picked up the phone. "Hello"

"Sam," Ali paused. Was that genuine worry in her voice or just nerves? "Are you okay?"

"No," escaped his lips before he could suppress it. No, he was not okay. He was very far from okay. The love of his life was cheating on him and it was all his fault. He had pushed Ali into the arms of another man.

He had been foolish to not pay more attention to her, not make sure her every need was satisfied. While he was off dealing with family and business, he had abandoned Ali, leaving her to her own devices. The one thing that he of all people knew she needed was to be surrounded by people who loved and adored her. No wonder Ali had found someone to fill the void. It was her pattern.

"No!" This time Sam was sure it was concern in Ali's voice. "What's wrong. Are you hurt?"

Sam shook his head. "No, it's not that."

"Okay." Sam sensed her confusion. "What's going on Sam? Where are you?"

Sam looked around the dimly-lit bar. This had not been a good idea. When Cruz had called, Sam had still been sitting on the sidewalk, wallowing in self-pity. Sam had hoped the call was from Ali, telling him it was all a misunderstanding, but it had only been his friend. Cruz had practically begged Sam to meet him for a drink. Some urgent topic that he needed his friend for that could not wait. And it wasn't like Sam had anything pressing to get to. Like lunch with his girlfriend. That was definitely off. Sam had agreed to meet him at a bar close to the office. As he waited for Cruz to show up, he was drowning his sorrows in peanuts and pop.

If Ali knew where he was right now, it would look bad. How could he make her understand that yes, he was in a bar, but no, he was not drinking? Well, not drinking anything alcoholic.

Feeling sheepish, Sam decided to evade and changed the subject. "Are you still at the gallery?"

"Of course. I've been waiting for you." Waiting to break up with me, thought Sam. "Are...are you still coming?"

"Um...no...I can't make it." Maybe if he delayed, he could find some way out of this. Make Ali love him again. If she would just give him a chance. A chance he wasn't sure he deserved.

The line was silent for a heartbeat. "You can't make it." Disappointment saturated Ali's voice. "But you promised."

Just like she had promised to always be honest. It was a deal they had made back in his apartment on the west coast after Sam had told Ali about why he had lied to her at the beginning of their relationship. It was a promise that they had made to each other. A vow to start clean, to be open and clear with each other.

Maybe Sam hadn't been doing a great job of being honest himself but that didn't give Ali a reason to replace him. To leave him with no warning, not even trying to work things out. Where had her honesty gone?

"Why don't you try being honest Ali?"

There was another pause on the other end of the phone. "What do you mean Sam? What am I not being honest about?" asked Ali softly.

Sam leaned against the bar, placing his head in his hand. The image of her in Noah's arms pressed against his brain.

"Sam...are you still there?"

"Um-hum," he muttered. The door to the bar swung open and in spilled a group of giggling girls, one screaming at the others about somebody named Christy getting her big break at last.

"Where are you Sam?" demanded Ali.

The girls ganged up around the bar a few seats down from where Sam was perched. "Barkeep, your finest champagne for my friend here," screeched one of the girls.

Sam heard the intake of breath from Ali. "Are you in a bar?" Sam winced. "You ditched me to go to a bar?"

"Yes but..." Sam didn't get a chance to finish his thought.

"I can't do this."

Sam's head was spinning. How had this turned from Ali cheating to Sam being in the wrong? He started to express his opinion. But it was too late, Ali had hung up on him.