Chapter 11

Cristina's mind was working on overload as she sat in Preston's car. She just couldn't process what had just happened. And why it felt so good. Even though she couldn't deny that Owen was extremely good-looking, because let's face it- the man was gorgeous, she had never really thought about him in a romantic way. As long as she had known him, which, to be honest, wasn't that long, he had always been Stacy's boyfriend, aka off limits. Plus, if Owen dated people like Stacy, why would he be interested in her? Even though they were best friends, the two girls didn't have that much in common, especially look-wise.

"Cristina?" Oops, Preston had said something.

"Hmm? Sorry, my mind was elsewhere."

"Yes, I can tell. I was just asking how you were."

"I'm fine" Cristina responded curtly.

"That's good to hear." The car fell into silence and Cristina's thoughts returned elsewhere and Preston didn't feel like having a one-sided conversation. After a twenty minute drive they pulled up in front of a very fancy restaurant.

While Preston handed the keys to the valet, Cristina took out her phone. No new messages. Why did Cristina feel disappointed? It's not like Owen had a reason to call or text. She had been the one who pushed him away. She was the one who had hurt him.

"Cristina?" Preston asked as he held the door to the restaurant open. "Are you ready to go in?"
"Of course," Cristina smiled as she put her hone back in her purse. Tonight was about confronting her past. She would worry about Owen tomorrow.

Cristina felt unbelievably uncomfortable. They had been sitting for a good 20 minutes without really saying anything important. Preston had talked a bit about the traffic and Cristina had mentioned a something she had heard on the news. But they had just ordered their food so she didn't have her menu to hide behind anymore. So she felt UNBELIEVABLY uncomfortable.

"So…" Cristina started, hoping to finally start a conversation she actually wanted to have- why did Preston really ask her out.

"Look, Cristina. This isn't easy for me to say but I'm just going to say it. I made a mistake. I never should have broken up with you. I was stupid and excited about opportunities the London job would offer."

Cristina was not prepared to hear THAT. Of all the ways she thought the dinner would end u, this wasn't one of them. Preston wasn't one to apologize or one to regret his actions. He was actually a firm believer in the saying "Don't look back".

Preston took Cristina's silence as a reassurance and grabbed her hand.

"Cristina," he said as he gently stroked her hand. "I still love you. And I'm transferring back to Seattle so now we can be together again. We can pick up where we left off."

As soon as he said that Cristina pulled her hand away.

"Pick up where we left off? Do you mean pick up from where I WAS PUBLICLY HUMILIATED AND HEARTBROKEN?" She had unconsciously started raising her voice from anger.

"Cristina, please calm down. You're exaggerating."

"EXAGGERATING? YOU THINK I'M EXAGGERATING? I WAS IN LOVE WITH YOU. I THOUGHT WE WERE MOVING IN TOGETHER. AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE COURTESY TO TELL ME YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT MOVING HALFWAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY."

"I can't believe this…" Preston began, but was interrupted by a fuming Cristina.

"NO. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. YOU COME BACK AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THINK EVERYTHING WILL BE THE SAME? I lot has changed, Preston. I am not the same girl anymore." With that, Cristina got up and walked towards the exit.

Preston jumped out of his seat to follow her. "Cristina, where are you going? I drove us here, remember? Come back inside, I'm sorry for upsetting you"

"No, this date is over. I got the closure I needed. I finally realized that this wasn't my fault and you will always a self-centered jerk"

Preston huffed in annoyance: "Fine. Have fun getting home."

"I will," Cristina countered and walked off.

Looking back on it, running off might not have been the best idea she'd ever had. Cristina had sent 20 minutes trying to hail a cab with no luck. Therefore, she had started making her way home on foot. In heels. Not the best combination. After a few blocks, the girl found a bench and took her shoes off. Her feet were killing her. Cristina leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Yelling at Preston might have been a bit immature, but she secretly hoped that she had embarrassed him as much as he had embarrassed her all those months ago. Cristina felt good. She finally felt free.

But she also felt her feet throbbing. It was time to call Stacy to pick her up. Cristina took out her phone and called her best friend. Twice. Stacy, I will kill you in your sleep if you don't pick up. Cristina dialed again only to get Stacy's voice mail for the third time. Great, just great.

Just when she was about to put her heels back on, she thought of Owen. Would it be too selfish of her to call Owen? After how she ran out on him. Would she even be prepared to face him after the kiss?

After trying Stacy one more time and leaving a death threat on her voice mail, Cristina came to the conclusion that the times were desperate enough for her to take desperate measure – she called Owen.

"Cristina? Are you okay?"

Cristina smiled to herself. Leave it to him to be so concerned about her well-being after the way she had treated him.

"Hey. I'm…fine. Everything's fine. Could you come pick me up?"