Chapter Four

My birthday was approaching at the end of this month January 31st. I wasn't sure what I'd be doing to celebrate but I'm sure Dani my best friend would have something planned. Her wedding was in February and it was coming up fast so she was going crazy trying to finish last-minute plans. I and my mother have been getting along great, after her wedding, and honeymoon we spent an entire weekend together catching up on life and just trying to have our relationship back. She says Joseph treats her like a queen and he's a monster in bed, which was way too much information for me to know. They were living in newton town not too far from where my apartment was, I didn't mind though I actually missed having my mother in my life and I was happy we reconnected.

I was at work when Dani comes in sitting at the bar, pouting.

" hey, what are you doing here?." I asked walking up to her.

" ugh Shawn went out of town again on a business meeting, I wanted us to do our final arrangements for the wedding, but he won't be back till Sunday," she says and I pour her a coffee.

"well I'm sure it was important, how about you come by my place after I'm done my shift. We can finish together?" I ask trying to make her feel better. Looking at her phone she sighs.

" Okay, ill brings wine," she says sipping her coffee.

Going back to work, waiting on customers Dani left still feeling sad but I just think she's anxious about the wedding. She knows how crazy and important Shawn's job can be as a business consultant.

It was now 5:30 pm, as I made my way to the locker room to clock out. Grabbing the things I leave out the back door for employees. I need to get home so I can make me and Dani me some food, I know she's probably still feeling. Walking towards my apartment door, I see Jonathan leaning against the wall. What the hell?

" what are you doing here?" I asked surprised to see him. He looks at me with a sad smile.

"Can we talk?" he asks. Sighing I nodding my head unlocking my door as he follows me inside.

"you need be quick, my friend is coming over," I say walking to my kitchen.

" can we try again? Dinner maybe? I miss us." he says sitting down.

" Jon I don't know, I've moved on," I say thinking about Conner. Wait for what?

"let's just have dinner. I'll make reservation dress nice," he says leaving.

****

" you what! Dani says over the phone.

Last night we were busy planning the last-minute details for her wedding I didn't get a chance to mention, that I was having dinner with Jonathan.

" its okay, its just dinner. He wants to talk." I say looking in my closet for something to wear.

" he's gonna wine and dine you right to his bed!" Dani says sounding upset.

" Kendra doesn't let him back in, you can find someone way more attractive and who acting considers your feelings." Dani says

"he seems different Dani, have an open mind. Now I need to get ready ill call you later." I say hanging up the phone.

I took a quick shower making sure to shave every hair from my body. Jonathan was so gorgeous looking and we were in love, so why wouldn't I want to look my best for him?

I found a simple black lace Body Con

bodysuit in my closet that I bought at forever 21, keeping myself casual.

Styling my hair into loose waves and slipping on high heels I bought at a retail store. Looking at my reflection in the mirror I looked nice, makeup was simple not too much. Grabbing my bold red lipstick putting it on my lips to break away from the all-black outfit.

My phone beeps alerting me I had a text. Looking at the screen I see it's from Jonathan. Smiling to myself grabbing my small handbag and keys leaving my apartment.

*****

The restaurant Jonathan chose was very high-end. He had us a nice table not to secluded but it was set for us with candles lit and two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. Jonathan pulls my chair out for me like a gentlemen, smiling i sit down as he sits across from me.

" wine?" A waiter asks smiling.

"Sure. Thank you" I say as the young guy pours us our wine.

" Can I get your order?" he asks. Looking at my menu I wasn't sure what any of this food was.

" roasted duck and vegetables for me and the lady," Jonathan says. Looking up at him surprised. The waiter takes our menus walking off.

" so how you been?" Jonathan asks

"I've been fine. Working." I say sipping my wine.

" still at the pub?" He asks not approving.

" Yeah. I need money to pay bills." I say

"you're almost done earning your associate's degree? I can get you a position in my office" Jonathan says.

" its for the medical administrative assistant, I work at doctors offices and hospitals. I don't want to work in your firm." I say rolling my eyes.

" Just think about it," Jonathan says as our waiter arrives with our food.

We sat eating in silence I wasn't so sure if I wanted Jonathan back in my life.

Conner Pov

I had a business meeting I needed to attend and of course I had to invite donna as my date, which I really didn't want to but my boss says it looks good to the corporate that I appear grounded. Dressing a simple casual outfit pants, button-up shirt, and dres' shoes.

Donna had on a tight dress you'd most likely see worn to a club than at a business dinner. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back in loose curls, framing her face that was done up with makeup. I loved donna she was the kind of girl any guy would want but I felt like we were missing something.

" you ready babe?" donna asks looking at her reflection in the mirror.

" yea the meeting starts soon, we have reservations at 9," I say grabbing my truck keys.

The restaurant wasn't crowded, I spotted my boss and a few people who worked incorporate. Making my way towards them with donna by my side, I had to make sure this went smoothly.

" Okay, donna behaves," I say as we take our seats. Shaking everyone's hand.

" Good to see you Conner lets put a order in for wine." my boss Garrett says waving the waiter over. Looking around the restaurant I see Kendra sitting a table not too far away from mine, she was with a guy? Was she on a date?

" Conner?" Garrett says trying to get my attention. Looking at Garrett I see he's waiting for my answer to a question I didn't even hear him say. Dam Kendra!

" um sure," I say smiling.

" okay we start heat installments at ST Peters hospital Monday." garrets says happily. Great I thought, looking back at where Kendra was sitting I see the guy reach over the table placing his hands over hers as she shyly smiles at him.

Her smile was beautiful, I can remember a time when she smiled at me like that.

" excuse me, I'll be right back," I say to my boss getting up from the table. I can feel everyone at the table watching me in confusion including donna but I didn't care. Approaching the table Kendra looks at me in shock as her date looks at me confused by my presence.

" Hey Kendra, how are you? " I ask smiling.

" I'm okay. You having dinner here?" she asks

" yea a business meeting," I say looking at my table. I stood there awkwardly not wanting to walk away just yet.

" so Jonathan, this is my mothers husbands nephew Conner. Kendra says gesturing to me. The guy looks at me with a blank expression.

"Hey," he says going back to eating his dinner.

"Good seeing you," I say to Kendra turning to walk away. She doesn't say anything. Taking my seat at my table donna looking pissed, but I didn't care. Seeing her on a date with that guy made something turn in my stomach. I needed to talk to her alone.

****

Kendra Pov

" so did you date him?" Jonathan asks on the drive back to my apartment.

" no. why?" I asked rolling my eyes.

" Just asking. He looks at you weirdly." Jonathan says sounding jealous.

He pulls into the parking lot of my apartment complex.

" Thanks for dinner," I say awkwardly. He leans over kissing me without warning. quickly pushing him away realizing that I couldn't do this with him. not again.

***

Conner Pov

I wasn't sure what I wanted to meet Kendra for, I just know I wanted to be around her. seeing her on a date with that guy didn't sit well with me. I'm surprised she agreed to meet me at Ann's café , I ordered us both coffee's as I notice her car pull into the lot. I watch her as she makes her way towards where I was sitting , she lightly smiles at me taking her seat.

' so what's up?" she asks taking a sip of her coffee.

" Can we be friends?" I ask bluntly

she looks at me confused.

" We are practically family.. " she says half laughing.

" yea by marriage and my uncle joe isn't my biological uncle, he's been in my life since I was a baby. my dad and him grew up together as best friends so growing up I've always just called him uncle." I say drinking my coffee. she looks at me with no expression... I wasn't sure what she was thinking at this point.

" We can be friends, but my best friend Dani doesn't seem to like you. why?" she asks

" I'm not sure. maybe she's jealous" I lie

"I doubt that, " she says awkwardly.

I say wanting to change the subject.

we sat there talking about our everyday lives, her work and how she was taking classes to be a medical administrative assistant. she had goals and things she wanted out of life. the more i sat here talking to her the more i felt the need to kiss her. she was beautiful, and regret rejecting her all those years ago.

" so you and that guy? is he your boyfriend?" I asked hoping she says no.

" no, my ex Jonathan," she says not going into more detail.

"oh. he seems okay," I say annoyed.

" just okay? " she asks as if offended him.

" I just think you could do better. that's all" I say struggling.

" I'm sure you could do better than that blonde. she was giving me dirty looks at my mothers wedding and last night," she says annoyed.

" she's just jealous" I say smiling.

" she has no reason to be. you're dating her," she says. If only Kendra knew just how much I wanted to break my relationship off with donna and be with her instead.

" yeah," I say softly.

Kendra Pov

after having coffee with Conner I make way over to Jonathan's work office building. I sent him a text that I wanted to talk to him and he said he was working at the office and to meet him there. already knowing he wasn't going to like what i had to say but I know I cant lead him on when my heart has moved on from him.

walking into his office I see he still has the same assistant that he cheated on me with. she looks at me surprised and anger was written all over her face. ignoring her, I walked into Jonathan's office, he was sitting at his desk looking at paperwork.

" Hey," I say as he looks up.

" hey. how are you? please sit." he says motioning to the chair in front of his desk.

" look I don't think we should get back together. I'm focusing on my life and the things that want." I say sincerely.

" but last night? I miss you."' Jonathan says sadly

" I cant. I think it's best we just move on." I say standing up to leave.

" Is this about that guy from the restaurant?" he asks. I turn around looking him in the eye.

" huh? what no. why?" I ask confused.

" I'm just asking. I can tell by how he was looking at you. something is there "he says annoyed.

sighing I walk towards his desk.

" goodbye Jonathan" I say turning around leaving his office without looking back.

*******

It was 11 pm working the night shift at the pub. I hated working night shift especially Friday nights. driving home I was exhausted as I made my way to my apartment. as I approached my door Conner was standing there leaning against the wall. he looks tired, what was he doing here? when he notices me approaching, I couldn't read his expression as we made eye contact.

" what are you doing here?" I ask fumbling with my key. He doesn't say anything as he grabs my face crushing his lips to mine.

Conner Pov

Kendra pushes me back breaking the kiss. She just stares at me as of she seen a ghost. What was she thinking? What the hell was I thinking about kissing her? She turns away her hands were shaking as she fumbled with her key, unlocking her apartment door. She pushes the door open and turns around slightly avoiding my eyes.

" good night Conner" she says an goes in her apartment shutting the door.

Walking into my apartment donna was sitting on my old couch sipping a beer eating popcorn. I know she spends her time here a lot only cause she trying to move in with me. I'm not ready for that commitment just yet. All I can think about is Kendra, that kiss was everything and I wanted to do it again.

"join me babe." donna says in her seductive voice.

" I'm tired. going to bed." I say walking in my room shutting the door.

I need to end things with Donna, it wasn't fair to her. My heart just not into this relationship anymore.