Forgot To Tell You Something: An Angsty, Later in Life Romance

If I force one more smile, my face will crack.

I hate watching Owen stroll back into the party, Charlotte by his side. I hate how naturally they move together. I hate the history they share and the opportunities a woman like that can bring to a man like him.

I hate that I’m on the outside, looking in.

Enough of this damnable self-pity, Tallulah. You want to be a wildflower? Start acting like one.

With a shaky breath and a false bravado, I waltz back into the party, grabbing some delicious and mysterious hors d’oeuvre off a silver tray as I glide back to my table.

Time to suck it up and put on my big girl panties.

Did I mention how much I hate big girl panties?

The next hour sails by, as dinner and drinks flow into the whales with the same ease their money flows out. I know it’s on the up and up, but I can’t help but detest the circus. Just ask the wickedly wealthy for some of their money and call it a day. What’s with the endless buttering up?

As I make my way to the bathroom for the millionth time, I catch sight of Owen, speaking to a local Congressman by the name of Jeff Daniels. I envy Owen’s ease with people of this echelon; I break out in hives when I’m close to the uber-wealthy and important.

Owen looks up and catches my gaze, sending me a wink.

It’s funny how that silly gesture renews my confidence, and I move closer to them, intent on letting the Congressman know about all of Dr. Steven’s assets.

“I think it’s a fabulous idea. God knows the population isn’t getting healthier,” the politician mutters, sipping his drink.

“Exactly my point,” Owen concurs, his gray gaze intent on me as I edge closer.

“I must say that you and Charlotte are quite the power couple. When is the wedding?”

I stop short, my heart clenching in my chest. Jeff Daniels isn’t yet aware of me, but Owen is, and his widened eyes speak volumes.

“Charlotte and I are no longer engaged.”

Whew. I can resume a normal breathing pattern.

“She intimated that reconciliation is imminent,” Mr. Daniels presses.

Heart, we have a problem.

“Did she?” I feel the unease flowing through Owen as palpably as the champagne flows through the Congressman.

Jeff Daniels leans in as if sharing a secret. “We both know that most marriages are of convenience. But Charlotte Auerback is gorgeous, and landing a spot on her father’s will would give you the life of Riley. I’d switch spots with you in a minute, old boy.”

I stand my ground, my heart on its proverbial last legs as I await Owen’s reply. He has to say something. Reiterate that they’re no longer together, mention that he’s in love with someone else. Hell, I’m standing right here. I may not have the pedigree that Charlotte does, but the man proclaimed his adoration not sixty minutes ago.

“Mr. Daniels, I’d like you to meet Tallulah Knowles. She’s the cardiac nurse manager at Memorial.”

Okay, this segue can work.

I extend my hand, offering the Congressman a smile. “How do you do?”

“Just fine. Are you enjoying the evening?” His eyes skitter over my tattoos, and once again, I feel sub-par.

“I am. I’m happy to help Dr. Stevens achieve his goal within the cardiac realm.”

“Let’s not forget Charlotte,” Jeff Daniels reminds me. “They are the quintessential power couple.”

Holy hell, but he loves that term.

I grit my teeth, my gaze swinging to Owen. “Are they? I wasn’t aware they had reconciled.”

“They haven’t, but I know her family. He doesn’t stand a chance.” The poor politician has no idea of the melee he has wrought.

I raise my brows, my dark eyes flashing as I glare at Owen.

Say something, you bastard. 

But Owen doesn’t defend me, or our supposed love. Instead, the chicken shit changes the subject. “Speaking of Memorial, I wanted to introduce you to Dr. Jessop. He will be assisting me with the facility.”

Just like that, the conversation stream winds away into seemingly innocuous waters, but there’s not enough water in the world to calm the inferno raging in me.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I mutter.

“Tally, you don’t have to leave.”

“Actually, I do. I have a prior engagement. A very important one.”

Perhaps I’m behaving like a child as I storm back to my seat to gather my things. But I’ve tried to be an adult where Owen is concerned, and I’m done taking the high road. The only road I want is one leading out of here.

 I’m still fuming, but at least now I’m doing it on my turf. I swing the barstool back and forth, wishing to God that vodka was healthy for my Nugget.

Dan knows that something is up, but he sees the set of my jaw and opts not to push the issue.

Smart man.

“I’m so glad to be out of there.” I jump at Owen’s voice in my ear. The man definitely minored in ninjutsu. The tux is long gone, replaced by a body-hugging shirt and jeans. I hate how good he looks.

I need a vaccine against this man. Something to make me immune.

“Hey Darlin,” Owen leans in to kiss me, but I turn my head before he gets the chance. “What’s wrong?”

“I think you know.”

“Congressman Daniels? The guy is a prick, Tally. Don’t listen to a word he says.”

I swivel on my stool, facing him, glare at the ready. “I didn’t. What I listened to was the silence from your end, negating his statements.”

“I didn’t think it mattered.”

“It did. It mattered to me.”

Silence. I sip my drink, my gaze intent on the water ring. I don’t want to argue or fight. It’s not worth the energy at this point.

His hands clench the edge of the bar, and I see from the corner of my eye he has focused his gaze downward. “I fucked up.”

I raise my brows but don’t offer any retort. At this point, I’m not sure what Owen considers a fuck up.

“I should have corrected him. I didn’t think. I beg you to attend this stupid dinner, and then subject you to that crap from some pompous twit who wouldn’t know love if it smacked him in the face.” Finally, that stormy gaze meets mine. “I’m sorry, Tally.”

I can’t lie; I’m shocked by his earnest apology. “You think you can stop hurting my feelings? I know I’m a tough cookie, but even I have limits, Owen.”

“You’re the last person I want to hurt.”

“Yet somehow, you keep managing it.” I release a resigned huff as I take in his distraught expression. “I don’t think you get to share my balcony tonight. Your punishment is being relegated to the heathens down here.”

I know that sarcasm isn’t the right answer, but I’m tired. My heart and head are beyond weary. I just want to kick back and listen to a band rage about anarchy.

“I’ll do anything to make it right.”

“Well, that’s a tempting offer.”

He grasps my hand. “I’ll drop to one knee right now.”

My heart leaps at his statement, but I remain calm and collected on the outside. “What are you planning on doing while you’re down there?” It’s a joke. I know it, and I think he knows it, too.

“Ask me to show you.”

Bastard is baiting me. I tap my chin before shaking my head. “While it piques my curiosity as to the legitimacy of your statement, I’ll let you slide this time. This time,” I reiterate.

He grabs my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. “What if I don’t want you to let me slide?”

“Behave, or I won’t let you sit in my balcony. I’m not kidding, mister.” I pop off the stool, heading for the upstairs stairwell. I push open the heavy door and settle onto the worn velvet couch. Home sweet home.

“Are you serious?”

I turn to see Owen, his eyes flashing in the low light. “What?”

“I mention proposing, Tally, and you get up and walk away.”

“I knew you were joking, Owen.”

“What makes you so sure?”

My eyes widen as my mouth goes dry. “You can’t be serious.”

“I know it’s the least romantic place in the world to propose Tally, and I don’t have the ring, but—”

“You were serious?” I’m not sure how I want him to respond. If he says he was, I’ll feel like a total ass and totally confused. If he says he wasn’t, I’ll be relieved but disappointed.

What is wrong with me?

He offers a strained smile. “Bad timing. I just wanted you to know how I felt.”

“Really? You know how you do that? Take my feelings into consideration. Don’t ask me to fraternize with your ex-fiancée again. I know you say nothing is going on—”

“There isn’t.”

“But after tonight, that claim isn’t entirely clear. That douchebag wasn’t the only one. Tongues were wagging all around the room about you and Charlotte.”

“I didn’t tell anyone anything.”

“Exactly. You failed to mention me once.”

Owen throws his hands up. “Wait, just a damn minute. You wanted us to be friends, remember?”

“You’re right, I said that.”

“Did you mean it?”

“The truth is, I don’t have the stamina to go toe to toe with Charlotte, or your former lifestyle.”

“Who’s asking you to? I love you for you, Tally.”

“But you don’t love me enough to negate Congressman Daniels’s blasé statement. You don’t love me enough to risk his deep pockets.”

“That’s bullshit. I never said I was with Charlotte.”

“You never denied the possibility of reconciliation, either. You had a chance. I was right there, but you changed the subject.”

“Tally, you need to understand—”

That does it. “No, you need to understand. I’ve been understanding for the last two months! I had to understand when I discovered that you lied about being a doctor. I had to understand when I came face to face with a fiancée I didn’t know you had. I had to understand when you ask me to attend a party where you deny that I’m anything beyond your nurse manager. I’m all out of understanding, Owen. You’ve reached your quota.”

I storm out of the balcony. I need a drink, but since Nugget won’t allow me alcohol, fresh air will have to do. I push open the exit door, throwing my head back and willing my temper back into its cave.

I wish our situation was cut and dried, but it’s the exact opposite. It’s messy and sticky, and I’m not entirely sure how much more either of us can stand.

“Hey,” Owen slips his arm around my shoulder, and I hate how good it feels. How right it feels. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I’ve had a shitty couple of weeks, Owen.”

“I know, and instead of helping, I’ve made it worse.”

 He takes the hat from my head and puts it on his own. It looks goofy as hell, perched on the top of his noggin.

I don’t want to smile, but the visual is too much. “You look ridiculous.”

“What? I think I look fab.” He glances up at the smokers nearby. “Come on, Darlin, let’s move over here.”

“Why?”

He nods toward the group of people. “They’re smoking. It’s bad for you.”

Shit. He said it was bad for me, not us. “Smoking is bad for everyone.”

That stormy gaze meets mine, searching my face for answers I’m not willing to divulge. “I have a better idea. Let me buy you a beer. No, let’s go do a shot.”

Double shit. “I’m sticking with water.”

“Are you driving?”

“No.”

“Still have that incredibly rare stomach virus?”

“Are you prying?”

“Yes.”

I guffaw at his brashness. “No, the stomach virus is gone.”

“But you’re not drinking?”

“Some might think that’s a good thing.”

Owen’s phone rings and I know the second he glances at it, who’s on the other end.

“Don’t you have to take that?” I wonder now if it was Charlotte calling on our first date. At this point, everything is muddy and unclear.

“I can speak to her later.”

My anger returns with a vengeance. Later is reserved for Charlotte. How much more of Owen’s time will be usurped by this woman he claims is part of his past?

“By all means, don’t let me stop you.” I stalk back inside, pulling up a barstool and shooting Dan a warning look. Don’t even ask.

“What are you mad about now?” Owen demands, swinging around the barstool so I’m facing him. “I can’t stop Charlotte from calling me.”

“Actually, you can. You can kick her out of your life, but you won’t. Instead, you expect me to understand your situation. To understand your needs.” The anger that simmered in the back of my brain surges to the front. “How many more lies do you plan on spinning, Owen?”

His fist hits the bar, making the glasses jump and earning a warning glare from Dan. “I never lied about my situation with Charlotte.”

“You never told the full truth, either.”

“You want to talk about the truth? Let’s talk about truth.”

Oh, crap.

“Anything you want to tell me, Tally?”

He knows. He knows. “Not right now, no.” It’s true. This is not the time nor place to discuss Nugget.

“Which means you are keeping something from me.”

Now we’re in a standoff. One of us has to back down first, and it’s not going to be me.

I’m done for the evening.

I slide off the stool, throwing a ten on the bar and giving Dan a nod. Then, without a second glance at Owen, I walk away.

He’s at my side within seconds. “You’re just going to leave?”

“Yep. Hey, this makes it easier for you. Now, you don’t have to choose between Charlotte and me.”

“This is ridiculous, Tally,” Owen grits out, his grip tightening on my elbow.

“You’re right. This is ridiculous. This entire situation is ridiculous, Owen.”

“So, let’s stop fighting.”

“I have a better idea. Let’s just stop.” I hold up my hand. “Don’t follow me, Owen. Just let me go.”