The Ex-Girlfriend by Zinnia Kelly

Author:Zinnia Kelly [Kelly, Zinnia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

RAVEN

We are the only two people in the short hallway. In the background, I can hear the orchestra playing another song – a more upbeat song this time. Chaz Sinclair stands there, as if he was waiting for me, which is ridiculous. “Hi,” I say awkwardly.

“Have you been crying?”

“Sorry.” I hold my hand up to my face. “I must look terrible. I think I cried half my make-up off.”

“You look fine,” he says, and I don’t know if he is just being polite.

I smile wryly, trying to keep the conversation light. “You should have warned us before playing that song and showing those movies. I can’t be the only one blubbering.”

“But you’re okay,” he persists, which makes me think that I look worse than I thought I did.

I sniff. “Sure, just a little emotional now. But hey, don’t worry. I’ve been known to cry over laundry commercials.”

He says, “I cried, too. And I thought it was the mother of the bride who is supposed to cry.”

“No, Dads can cry. And you seem to be holding it all together. You’re doing great. And that dance was beautiful. Did you have to practise together?”

He nods. “I’m not much of a dancer.”

“Well, no one would know. You two looked good together. Very smooth.”

“Thanks.”

“I think your daughter is very lucky to have you as her father.”

“I feel like I’m the lucky one.” For a moment, he looks like he might tear up again. He clears his throat. “I have spent my entire life raising her, and she’s all grown up now. She doesn’t need me. She has a husband now.”

Not a good one, but I don’t say it. Instead, I say, “That’s not true. A girl always needs her Dad, whether she is eight or forty-eight. She might not talk to you as much, but she’ll always want your advice and approval.”

“How did you get so smart?”

I shrug. “Some of it comes from working in bars. They are a microcosm of society. I get to hear a lot of stories.”

“Are you a bartender?”

“No, just a waitress.”

Chaz puts his hands in his pockets. Some men are uncomfortable when they wear a tuxedo, but he is comfortable, casual, like it doesn’t matter what he’s wearing. No matter what, he is the same man. He says, “The problem is, I don’t know what to do with myself now that I will no longer be a full-time Dad. There’s work of course, but my company is doing well – and I can think up new products anywhere. I could go anywhere, live anywhere.”

Must be nice.

He sees the expression on my face and says, “I know what you’re thinking: Nice problem to have, eh? Poor you. Boo hoo.”

I smile. “I would never say that.”

“No, you wouldn’t. You have a kind heart.”

“How would you know that?”

“The way you’re letting me rattle on. It’s ridiculous. I don’t have any real problems, and I know it.”

I say what I need to say to myself. “You are at a crossroads. You need to figure out what you really want in life.

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