Read Groomless - Part 2 for Free Online

haul.”
    “I couldn’t take you to Hong Kong, and you didn’t want to come with me to Connecticut, because you were focused on your own career. You chased your dreams too, JJ.”
    “You never even asked,” I said.
    “I didn’t have to. I knew you would never have willingly given up your dream job to be a housewife in Connecticut. Besides, how could I have even asked you to? It wouldn’t have been fair for me to expect—”
    Growing ever frustrated, I rolled my eyes and cut him off. “If you’d had the balls to ask, we might still be together.”
    “Don’t do that, Julia. Don’t guilt-trip me. I think of that day all the time, and I have never stopped wishing I’d have done things differently.”
    “You never even gave our long-distance relationship a chance,” I said. “I tried, but you didn’t. You gave up on us.”
    “You know that’s not true. I was working 100 hours a week, with barely any sleep.”
    “C’mon, Luke. It only takes a minute to leave a text message.”
    He sighed again and looked down at the tablecloth. “Yeah, I know. I was too focused on my career, too worried about moving ahead and getting things rolling. I was a complete idiot.”
    “You aren’t an idiot. You never have been. You’ve done some amazing things. I read in Forbes that you bought your parents a beautiful home on the lake. It’s okay that we didn’t work out. You are in a position now to do some great things, like that lecture you gave the other day. You can help people, give something back.”
    He smiled sheepishly and gripped my hands. “You may not believe me, but I get my inspiration from you.”
    “Yeah, well, I always was your biggest cheerleader.”
    We finished our dinner, and Luke drove me home, then walked me to the door like a true gentleman.
    “Now for the cliché question,” he said with a nervous half-smile.
    “And what’s that?”
    “As they say in every romantic comedy ever, can we be friends?” he asked.
    “Actually, I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I said, biting my lip and unable to make eye contact with him. As much as he’d hurt me, I couldn’t bear to hurt him or to dim those baby-blues of his with sadness again.
    He picked my face up by placing his hand gently under my chin, then stared deeply into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat as I recalled gazing into those blue pools endlessly back in high school. He looked sad, like a little lost puppy. It was obvious that he didn’t want to let go of me, and in that moment, lost in his eyes all over again, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to let go of him. We had a connection neither of us could deny, and it felt impossible to cut the passionate ties that bound us. 
    “I can’t believe this. I-I’ve lost you forever,” he said softly.
    “Zack’s here,” I said, glad to see his car out front, as it made for a convenient excuse. “I’d better go.”
    “Well, I wish you a lifetime of happiness with your husband. And just know that if you ever need anything, anything at all, I’m always here for you,” he said.
    I kissed his cheek and found it hard to stop there. “Thank you, Luke.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    I turned and unlocked my door without ever looking back. My heart was torn in two as I heard his footsteps walking away, and I considered giving it just one more try, but I knew that would not be wise. I feared it would only end horribly, and I knew I could never endure that kind of heartbreak again.
    * * *
    When I walked into my apartment, Kate and Zack greeted me.
    “So? How’d your date go?” Kate asked.
    “It wasn’t a date.”
    She winked. “Oh yeah. Sorry.”
    “Seriously, Kate. We just had dinner at The Water Club.”
    “What!? Girl, that boy took you to one of the most romantic spots in New York City!” Zack said. “I thought you were just going casual?”
    “We did. We only talked.”
    “That was all?” he asked.
    “Yes, that was all.”
    “Damn, girl. If he was this Cinderella’s Prince