Chapter 292
We were adults and had cleared the art between us days ago. It was evident what Mark’s kindness and attention meant. I was at a loss. for how to respond. I had said everything I needed to say that day. Constantly turning him down would only make things awkward, and we might end up not even being friends.
Mark hesitated, “Jane, am I making you feel pressured?”
Ifiddled with my fork, about to speak, when he continued thoughtfully, “Like I said, you don’t need to respond to anything. Just think of it as something friends do for each other”
“When you’re ready to start a new relationship, we can take it slow,” he added.
My heart warmed at his words. I might have fallen deeply for him if I hadn’t gone through that disastrous marriage with Bryant and if I were still at the age of acting on impulse. But I was afraid. The cost of getting my heart involved was too much for me to bear
I slowly let go of my fork. “What if that day never comes?”
I didn’t want to hide anything from Mark anymore, not when we had come this far. Seeing his stunned expression, I put down my fork. “If Bryant and I had never divorced, what would you have done?”
“I would’ve stayed single, Mark replied with a forced smile, the soft light casting a glow over his head.
“I won’t lie to you” he continued, “I returned to the country partly because I heard things between you and Bryant weren’t as perfect as they seemed online” He looked at me squarely, a hint of self–mockery in his voice. “Does that make me despicable? Hoping for your divorce, hoping for a sliver of a chance with you.”
“No way. Before my divorce, you’ve always maintained your boundaries” I said, caught off guard by Mark’s candidness, with my words barely escaping my lips. “But divorce doesn’t mean I’m ready to be with someone else again. Up to now, just like Chris, you’re important to me, a good friend”
The light in his eyes dimmed a bit when I mentioned “a good friend.” But I didn’t want to deceive him.
Mark looked down, lost in thought, and lifted his gaze, his expression still gentle. “Jane, how about we set a timeline? Like six months, a year, two years. Fill give up if I can’t make you fall for me by then.”
I hesitated. “Let’s say six months.”
Christine and I had different views on love but agreed that love didn’t necessarily grow over time. Sometimes, it was just there, or it was not. If it were possible to fall in love, the years passed, and the next six months should be enough. If not, I didn’t want to waste his time.
T “Okay Mark agreed happily, “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
After dinner, I walked him to the door, and he glanced toward Gregory’s place, suddenly asking, “Jane, are you close with Mr. Ford?” “We’re friends.” I replied honestly, “Not close, but not distant either”
Much like Mark had described, Gregory was bold and unrestrained, a mystery to most.
“Okay” Mark’s expression softened, “I head off then. You should get some rest”
Bryant and Dorothy’s engagement party was next month. With Dorothy’s unique taste, the design work would take some time.
I rushed through several days of work, and by Friday night, I had sent the initial designs to her email.
The following morning, before seven, someone knocked on my door in a chaotic rhythm.