Chapter Twenty-Nine
After parking his car in front of the restaurant, Jack Copeland checks the time. There are still fifteen minutes left, so he is sure Diane isn't here yet. He was surprised that she accepted his invitation for lunch. He almost didn't call her a second time, after she hadn't answered for the first try, but now he's glad he did.
Bumping into her in that bar a few days ago was a pleasant experience for him. He had always regretted letting her go like that, when she had broken up with him, but he had been too proud to beg her for another chance. Later he heard about her getting engaged and married and he thought that was the end of it.
But sitting in that bar, with a Martini glass in her hand the woman didn't seem like someone who has a husband waiting for her at home. Not to mention the pleasant conversation they had, he even thought she was flirting with him at times.
So he decided to call her to find out what was the truth, if she enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed hers, because it reminded him of the time when they had been dating.
When he notices her walking towards the entrance he quickly gets out of his car to meet her at the door.
"Hi," he greets her and doesn't dare to kiss her cheek this time, like he did the other night.
"Hi," she replies and he can see that she is hesitant, so he smiles at her and soon she returns it.
"Shall we?" he sends her a questioning look and she replies with a nod and steps inside, followed by him.
They find their table and the waiter takes their orders, leaving them alone.
"I have to admit I was surprised you accepted my invitation," he admits, still not fully believing the woman is sitting opposite from him.
"I know," she sends him a shy smile and he feels that she is still uncomfortable in his company.
"I'm glad you did," he returns her smile, enjoying this nice moment between them, before she breaks the silence.
"I just thought it would be better to talk face to face. I don't think it's a good idea for us to stay in touch," the words come out of her mouth, crashing all his hopes just like that and he is at a loss for words for a few seconds.
"But Friday, in the bar…" he mumbles, unable to form a complete sentence due to the shock.
"I was…not myself that night," she cuts in, using his insecurity. "Something happened that had upset me and I apologize if I behaved in a way I wasn't supposed to."
That something was probably between her and her husband, but she doesn't say and he doesn't want to ask. But he cannot just erase the memory of that night from his mind.
"But we had fun together," he tries to convince her that what felt so right couldn't have really been wrong.
"We did, but I don't want you to have any false hopes. I am married and it's better if you and I leave what we had in the past."
It's the first time she mentions her marriage and the words echo in his head, while he's trying to process what she's just told him. He should have counted with this response, but he had a tiny hope, that she still has a small place for him in her life.
"I understand. I was just confused by the whole situation, why you were there alone in the first place and we had such a lovely time," he reminds her again, but she just shakes her head in response.
"I'm sorry."
That's it. No further explanation and he has no other choice but to accept it. He will always be envious of that guy who was lucky enough to marry Diane Lockhart. Because he knows from experience that it's impossible to get over this woman.
"I appreciate your honesty," he finally says with an understanding smile, seeing no point in pushing her anymore. "It's good to see you again."
"It's good to see you too."
He loves hearing the words that leave her smiling lips, even though they serve as little comfort compared to the disappointment of the last few minutes.
"You will stay for lunch though, right?" he asks, not ready to say goodbye to her yet.
"Of course, that's why we are here."
A/N: The end is near, I only have 3 chapter left. Which also means I can soon start posting my new McHart multi-chapter story, so stay tuned :)