Author's note: Hi, I apologize for the angst in this chapter but it'll get better, I promise.
Hope you like the chapter, thanks! :)
"I must be insane for doing this?" Rose thought sitting in that diner waiting for Matt. She knew she should probably leave but after finding that index card she hoped this would get David jealous or maybe give her a hint where they stood at least.
She glanced around the vintage looking diner, very 1960's nostalgic. Rose smiled a little; it reminded her of that little place David used to take her all the time. Just then she heard Matt's voice behind her. "Hi." He smiled.
"Hi." She replied. "You look nice." He said sitting down. "Oh, thanks." She smiled glancing down at her white button down shirt and dark blue jeans.
A waitress came by with their drinks and took their orders then Matt smiled slightly Rose. "I'll admit I was a bit surprised when you called." She smirked slightly. "Why?"
He shrugged as he played with his straw. "Well, to be honest I have a feeling you're trying to make David jealous," Matt glanced at her. Rose sighed. "Look, Matt, I-"
He gently stopped her. "It's okay, I mean know you have a history together." Rose sighed resting her chin in her hand. "Well, we did," She scoffed softly. "Now it's awkward just to get him to talk to me."
Matt leaned forward in his seat. "So what exactly happened between you, two?" Rose simply shrugged. "Easy, I messed up." "We've all done that," He scoffed. "God knows I'm a good example with Clara." Matt grunted.
Rose tilted her head feeling bad for him. "You love her, huh?" He nodded. She smiled. "Is it serious?" Matt blushed. "I don't know." He mumbled.
"Ah, it is serious." She teased. Matt playfully stuck his tongue out. "Clever clogs."
Rose laughed. Maybe Matt wasn't so bad after all. "Yep!" She said proudly."Oh, yeah, what about you two? I bet you both were pretty serious." He gestured at her with his hands.
She nodded taking a drink of grape soda. "Yeah, we were," Rose smiled sadly. "Sometimes I think that was our downfall." "You still love him?" He asked. She nodded quietly lowering her gaze.
"Why?" He replied. Rose looked at him. "I never stopped." Matt smiled raising his glass slightly. "Good answer."
Rose smiled feeling better about her decision to have lunch and they continued with their meal.
When she got back she was heading to the auditorium to help with last minute decorations when she received a text from David that he wanted to see her in his office…now.
Rose felt slightly worried; this didn't look good but she went to his door anyway. She took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in." He called out. She went inside and he was sitting at his desk finishing up a phone call before hanging up and frowning at her. Rose slowly sat and tugged her earring. She felt like a kid in the principle's office. "Um, you wanted to see me?"
David leaned forward resting his arms on his desk. "You think you're cute, don't you?"
"Sorry?" She replied taken aback at his tone. "You know who I was on the phone with?" David said. "No." She replied simply.
He bit the inside of his cheek. "I was on the phone making dinner reservations at 'Le' Idris' for Clara and Matt in order to try to save their relationship and do you know why?" He scoffed.
"No." She grunted growing slightly irritated with him. "Because Osgood saw you and Matt having lunch together, told Clara and now she's a mess," David briefly removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes frustrated then placed them back on. "Now do you want to tell me, why you did that?"
Rose scoffed at his nerve. "You want to tell me why you gave Clara your phone number?" He gave her a confused stare. "What?"
She folded her arms defiant. "I know you gave her your home phone number. He shrugged. "Yes, because her father's sick and her step-mother is driving her crazy. Why can't I do that?"
Rose swallowed now feeling silly. "I had no idea."
He shook his head. "Because you didn't ask and this stunt you pulled didn't help, either." He remarked standing from his seat. "I better apologize." She sighed. He stopped her. "Not a good idea, right now," "Anyway Matt's talking to her or trying to."
His statement didn't help and now she felt really bad.
"It was an innocent lunch, I swear." Rose insisted. David shrugged. "Oh, I believe you but Clara may not," He leaned back against the wall. "I just hope this dinner works." She lowered her gaze. "Well, it's nice what you're doing for them."
"It's not for my benefit," He scowled. "These people are more than just my employees they're my family. I want to be there for them just as much as they are for me."
"I'm sorry," She replied softly. Rose glanced up at him. "I meant no harm." He nodded quietly. "I know." She licked her lips. "I was trying to make you jealous." She admitted. David frowned shoving his hands in his pockets. "Why?"
She scoffed frustrated standing from her chair. "Because you're confusing me." He casually shrugged. "About what?" Rose groaned throwing her hands up. "About us, where we stand."
"I don't know what you're talking about." David said softly avoiding her stare. She came closer, meeting his eyes. "David, I still love you, I still care," Rose sighed caressing his face hoping he understand. "Haven't you noticed?"
He swallowed, his tone laced with hurt. "Not really," Rose slowly moved her hands back down as his words sunk in. David lowered his gaze. "And if you do care you have a funny way of showing it."
"I see," She pressed her lips. "So that kiss meant nothing, then." "No," He quickly said. "I never said that…I never felt that." There was a hint of a smile and Rose felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe there was still a chance. "Then what's the problem?" She asked softly taking his hand.
He scoffed shaking his head at her. "Rose, you know the answer to that." She sighed. "You never let me explain. I've been trying to explain that night but you-"
"It's more than just that," He snapped pulling his hand back. "It's just you being here, it hurts, Rose. I'm sorry!" She looked at him in shock. David sighed softening his tone. "Look, what we had was very special, it was but I don't see it ever happening again."
Rose started fighting back tears. How could he say this?
"Fair enough," She wiped her eyes. "But you could've pulled away from that kiss but you didn't. You could've brushed my hand away but you didn't." She sniffed, her voice cracked as he just stared blankly at her. "So you explain to me how you can say all that when you kissed me and held me the same way you used to when we were together."
David had no answers, he was torn, himself. He sighed. "I can't explain I'm sorry." "I really need to go." David said. He brushed past her putting on his Doctor's jacket when she stopped him.
"Prove it." She muttered. David paused and looked at her. "What?"
Rose swallowed choking back a sob. "You say you don't love me then prove it." She pointed at his wrist. "Take the bracelet off, take off that stupid symbol of our love and maybe I'll believe you."
David stared at his wrist for a moment almost stunned. Rose immediately regretted her words and watched anxiously silently pleading almost screaming inside to please keep it on but with trembling fingers he carefully untied the knot he so lovingly wore around wrist since he was sixteen years-old.
It was the worse feeling she had ever felt. Rose's heart dropped as he slowly handed it to her without looking at her.
Rose said nothing and took the bracelet back then slowly walked out the room leaving David alone with his broken heart.