Bittersweet

~~Sorry, just don't cut it~~

She bristled, huffing out something I didn't catch before planting her hands on her hips. And I prepared to get it both barrels. It was always the same. Sweet Al. Then nasty Al. "This isn't just your decision, Gabe. I have every right—" Those blue eyes darkened, challenging me.

I held up my hand, silencing her. "That's where you're wrong, Al. You have no rights here. And this time you made that decision real easy for me. We're done." I had loved this woman. At one time pictured a future for us. Yeah, she never compared to Jenna, but who would?

"Please Gabe," she ushered a little too sweetly, looking at me through her thick lashes as she licked her bottom lip. Oh, we're back to nice Al. She walked towards my desk, running her fingers along the edge "It's you that I want baby, nobody else."

My jaw tightened. "You expect me to believe that? I keep to my word Al.  Remember, always said I would never play second best. You had a choice... baby."

"It's you I want Gabe, truly. It was stupid of me. A moment of weakness and now—"

The audacity of the woman. "Do you ever listen to yourself Al?"

She shifted on her high heels, looking down, pushing some of her loose hair behind her ear. Almost ashamed.

Almost!

Looking back up at me the shy smile she offered was as fake as her blonde hair. And every word from those sweet lips of hers would be a lie. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you, Gabe. I love you."

I wasn't buying it. "But you did, Al. How am I ever supposed to touch you again when somebody else touching you plays through my head? This—whatever we had. It's done. There is no coming back from that—Ever."

She stood silent, but I knew she wouldn't give it up that easily. Alison was never easy.

"How can you say that? We have a history, Gabe. Five years, I deserve—"

A sharp laugh followed my shock. Jesus, what was she not getting here? "What you deserve, baby?  Do you think I've deserved what you've did to us? I've listened to all your excuses and forgiven you more than any other man would. But no more Al. Now listen carefully because I'm getting really tired of repeating myself. This—" I motioned between us. "It's done."

"I don't believe that. I know you love me, Gabe."

Huh? "Did baby. Past tense."

She walked around my table, pulling at my arm to turn me towards her. "Please Gabe, you don't mean that. Let me make this right."

I turned reluctantly, letting my eyes roam over her face. Her blue eyes attempted to convey her love for me. Love that I didn't think she was capable of. Well, not for me anyway.

She laid her hand flat on my chest, spreading her fingers, and I felt the warmth through my t-shirt. I reacted faster than I normally would, lifting it from me, dropping it like litter. Sighing I folded my arms across my chest. "Just go Al. Don't make me throw you out."

She huffed, looking burned for a second before her eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."

"Watch me, baby."

She huffed again. Turning away from me, she threw her hair over her shoulder; I shifted my head back, so not to catch my face. "Fine, Gabe. But don't think I'm gonna sit around waiting for you to come to your senses."

Ha, she had to be joking. Right? Or delusional.

As she opened my office door, she turned, glaring, challenging me. "I need my stuff from our house."