I thought about calling Cal and having Garrett escorted out of town. Except, everyone was watching, and part of me, the part that had spent four years being carefully managed by this man, wanted to end this cleanly. I wanted closure in a way that didn't involve a public fight in my workplace.
"Fine," I said. "Dinner. Tonight. But after that, you leave. For good."
Garrett's smile widened. "That's all I ask."
He handed me the roses. I took them because it was easier than arguing. Then he left, and I stood in the middle of the waiting room feeling like I'd made a terrible mistake.
Lila appeared at my elbow. "Please tell me you're not actually having dinner with that man."
"One dinner. Then he's gone." I looked down at the roses. They were beautiful. Expensive. Everything Garrett did was calculated for maximum impact, except care about what I actually liked or wanted.
"You don't owe him anything," Lila said quietly. "Whatever he did, whatever he said, you don't owe him a single second of your time."
"I know." I tossed the roses in the trash. "But I need to end this. For me. Not for him."
Lila nodded slowly. "Just be careful. Men like that don't like being told no."
I thought about Knox. About tonight. About all the things I still needed to do before I could really move forward.
"I'll be fine," I said. "I'm not the same woman who left Denver."
I hoped that was true.
***
I texted Knox during my lunch break.
My ex showed up at the clinic. Garrett. He wants to have dinner tonight to "talk."
His response came immediately.What?
Then, seconds later:Do you want me to handle this?
I smiled despite myself.
No. I need to do this myself. End it properly. He'll be gone after tonight.
A pause.I don't like this.
I know. But I need to do it.
Timberline Tavern?
Probably. It's the only real restaurant in town.
I'll be there. Not interfering. Just there. In case.
My heart swelled. This man. This infuriating, protective, impossible man.
Thank you.
I put my phone away and went back to work, trying not to think about dinner, about Garrett, about the confrontation that was coming.
Tonight, I would end things with Garrett for good.
Tomorrow, I would deal with Cal.
And then, finally, I could start building the life I actually wanted.