Don't Say You Love Me (Boundless Love Book 1) (9 page)

The day crept on, and there was still no word from her at six that evening.
Eugene came to the conclusion that Sahara wasn’t as interested in him as he was in her. It was a hard thing to face, and he’d faced hard things in his life, but just knowing that he wouldn’t get a chance to be with the woman he thought was the one, hit him hard.

By six thirty
he had to get out of his head. It wasn’t like him to be obsessed about a woman. The conclusion being, women rarely rejected him. He decided he would go out, get some air, perhaps call some friends, but then again, the majority of his friends had families. It wasn’t going to be easy to find someone who could go out with him at a moments notice.

He picked up his jacket that was in the hall and just as he was about to step out his mobile rang. It took a moment for him to answer. The number on the screen was unrecognisable
, and at first he was suspicious it was work related.

‘Hello?’ He took the chance and answered it.

‘Hi.’ A woman’s voice responded.

‘Sahara?’

‘Yes, yes it is. I wasn’t sure I was going to call you.’

‘I’m glad you did!’ He dropped his jacket.

‘Thank you for the flowers.’

‘You’re welcome, I hope you like them.’

‘They are my favourite.’ She laughed lightly.

It had taken a lot of thought on her part to make that phone call. There had been so many things running in her mind before she’d taken the plunge. But as Alice had put it, living in the moment was all they had. Sahara knew this, and had always managed to do it except in that area of her life.

‘Don’t be afraid to try,’
Alice had said.

‘It’s not that, it’s him. I’m afraid for him. You and I both know what our lives can be like.’

‘I suggest you leave that up to him. He needs to decide what he can and cannot handle.’

Even after that, she hadn’t suddenly got the guts to give him a ring. It was only after she’d jumped into the car after
a long days work that it hit her. There was really nothing to loose. Whether she rang him or not, wasn’t relevant. All she knew was that if she didn’t try, take that leap, she’d never know what might have been. It was then that she picked up the mobile, the moment she’d stopped outside her house, Sahara had dialled his number.

‘So, are you calling to say yes to the date?’ he asked.

Sahara hadn’t thought that far.

‘Urm…’

‘No pressure.’ He laughed.

‘Well, yes and no,’ she said.

There was the issue with her hair. The sudden date thing had made her self conscious. It had brought her back to the reality of the world she’d left behind.

‘Okay…’ He didn’t understand.

‘Yes, I’d like to go on a date with you,’ she said firmly as if to blow off the possibility of anything romantic. ‘No, it won’t be today.’

‘Ahh, that’s a shame, but I’m glad I’ll get to see you at some point.’

She shut her eyes a moment and listened to his low thick voice and tried to visualise his face. That alone got her heart racing!

‘Do
you have an idea when you’d like to go out?’

‘Urm…maybe tomorrow?’

‘Tomorrow’s perfect.’ He was delighted. ‘Is there anything particular you’d like to do?’

‘Urm… a simple drink would do.’

‘That’s fine with me. I’m looking forward to it.’

‘Yes, me too.’ She had to admit that she was. ‘So I guess you’ll need my home address.’

‘Urm…don’t worry about that. I know exactly where you stay.’ It slipped out before he could help himself.

It took
Sahara by surprise, and she wasn’t sure how to take it.

‘Urmm…
Myles, yes I pressured him, please don’t be upset with him.’ He shut his eyes, knowing very well that the lie was a bad start, but he couldn’t bring himself to speaking the truth.

‘Hmmm. Fair enough,’ she said. ‘Tomorrow at two
, is that okay?’

‘Two is perfect. See you then.’

‘Bye.’ She hung up.

A few seconds later she rang Emily’s number.

‘Hey, is everything okay?’ Emily asked nervously.

‘I’m fine, I’m not sick or anything,’ she said hurriedly. ‘This call is about
Myles. I think you’ll have to have some words with him.’

‘Oh
oh, why don’t I like the sound of that?’

Sahara
gave her the brief of her call. She also pointed out how upset she was that he’d give out her information, when he knew exactly how she felt about it. She also hoped that he hadn’t mentioned that she was fighting cancer! It was hers to tell!

‘Honey, I’m so sorry, but I really don’t think
Myles would do that. I know him!’

‘Well, ask him becau
se his friend clearly told me it was him, and he asked me not to be upset with him, but I can’t help, but be upset.’

‘Okay…let me talk to him and I’ll give you a ring back. Okay?’

‘Yes, okay.’ She hung up.

It took a while for everything to sink in.
Sahara took in her surroundings, and finally stepped out of the car. It had been a long day, and all she really wanted was to have a peaceful evening to herself.

****

‘Who was that honey?’ asked Myles the minute Emily got off the phone.

‘
Sahara, and she’s not very happy.’

‘Why’s that?’

‘Well.’ She walked over to her husband. ‘It seems that someone has told Eugene an awful lot about her.’

‘Oh boy!’

‘I know, and the terrible part is that Eugene told her he got the information from you.’

‘He has got some nerve!’ He was furious.
‘He’ll never change!’

‘I take it you didn’t say a word.’

‘Why the hell would I?’

‘I thought that, I know you wouldn’t. Jus
t thought you had a weak moment.’

‘I can’t believe you thought that.’

‘Honey, it isn’t a bad thing. We’re all only human.’

‘True, but I wouldn’t do that, you know I wouldn’t.’

‘Of course I do. It doesn’t change the fact Sahara’s furious.’

‘
I don’t blame her. Did you tell her it wasn’t me?’

‘I did, but I also said I’d have a word with you and call her back.’

‘Well, I’m definitely going to have some words with Eugene.’

‘That sounds like a great idea. I on the other hand will give
Sahara a ring back.’

He nodded and left her
. He picked up his mobile from the table in the passage and called Eugene. It didn’t take long for Eugene to pick up the call.

‘How dare you!’
Myles spat. ‘This isn’t a game. Sahara isn’t someone you get to play with, and then get rid of after you’re done.’

‘Well hello to you to
o, Myles,’ Eugene said calmly.

‘Don’t you get it? What is wrong with you?’

‘What is this about?’

‘I think you know.’

‘Please, enlighten me.’

‘It’s the lie you told
Sahara.’

‘Ah, yes that, I regretted it the moment it slipped out of my mouth. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to say.’

‘Not good enough. Not good enough!’

‘I know, I’ll make this right.’

‘Yes you will because Emily is making sure Sahara knows it wasn’t me who told you about her.’

‘Shit!’ He felt bad.

‘I hope you get what you’re looking for. I can’t believe you’re still doing this, after all these years!’

‘Listen, it’s not what you think. I don’t see her as someone I would date and drop. I really like her.’

‘I bet you do. Sahara is in a different place than most women, she doesn’t need the stress of a player.’

‘I swear, I’m not going to play her.’

‘Just leave her alone!’

‘I can’t do that
, and it’s up to her to decide whether or not she wants that.’

‘Well, I’m sure after what you pulled
, she’ll want nothing to do with you.’

‘That’s the risk I’m going to take.’

‘You never change.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?
’

‘Exactly that! You’ll never understand that people grow up, they have responsibilities.’

‘Oh I get that alright, I just do it differently than you do. I don’t get what the big deal is anyway.’

‘You wouldn’t.’ He sighed.

He heard Emily call for him in the background.

‘Whatever you do, don’t hurt her.’

‘I won’t, and you have to believe that.’

There was nothing more to say, and both men hung up.

‘Is everything alright honey?’

‘He’ll never change, and I’m worried
Sahara will be a victim of his reckless behaviour.’

‘Well, at least she knows the truth now.’

‘What did she say?’

‘S
he said she’ll deal with it.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘I have no idea, but I’m quite certain she’ll put him in his place.’ She giggled.

‘Well, he’ll deserve it. I don’t know why I bothered inviting him to our wedding.’

‘Oh you don’t mean that. Anyway, let’s not let him ruin our day.’ She kissed his forehead.

‘Yeah, you’re right.’

Chapter Six

Sahara
had settled for a lilac dress that was just above the knees. She’d also put on a white cardigan. Even though it was summer, it was a bit breezy, which wasn’t surprising for the English weather. A hat was tempting, there was a little nudge of self consciousness, but Sahara decided to brave it, to be herself. there was no point trying to hide what was, and if he didn’t like it, that was his lose, not hers.

She gazed at herself in the mirror and laughed. She almost looked like a little girl. It was the
lack of hair, she thought, it made her look so much younger. The light make-up had also contributed to the look, which she was pleased about.

‘Well, at least I look young.’ She smiled. ‘There is always a positive somewhere.’ She kept her smile, did a little twirl and then ventured downstairs.

The doorbell rang the moment she picked up her handbag.

‘Right
on time.’ She gazed at her watch. ‘Impressive.’

Sahara
headed for the door, her heart beating at high speed. It was going to be interesting. Not only did she have the lack of hair issue on her mind, but also the fact that he’d lied, mingled between her thoughts. Sahara had no idea how she’d tackle them, and in what order.

‘Okay, here goes.’ She took in a deep breath
, and opened the door. ‘Hi,’ she said quickly with a wide smile.

He was startled a moment. It was everything about her that made him stop in his tracks, more so now.

‘I know the lack of hair might be a shock, it was a shock for me too.’ She giggled.

‘Urm…’ H
e was lost for words. She was magical in everyway that he couldn’t even explain it. ‘It’s not that, it’s…’

‘What?’ S
he frowned.

‘It’s you. There is something about you. Something I’ve never experienced with anyone.’

‘Well, I hope that’s a good thing.’ She smiled feeling a bit more confident.

‘Oh yes, it’s a good thing, and I like the hair cut, it suits you.’

‘Really?’ She touched the back of her head. ‘You’re not just saying that.’

‘I don’t think it matters what you do with your hair, you look amazing to me.’

She laughed gently, he certainly was a charmer. He lifted a bottle of wine and handed over to her.

‘My way of apologising.’ He winced.

‘Ah, that!’ She gazed at the bottle. ‘I don’t drink, and you’re not going to get out of it that easily. You can’t bribe your way out of it. That is something you’re going to learn about me.’

‘Ah, maybe that’s the reason I like you so much.’

Again she laughed. She wanted to be angry at him for what he’d done, but she couldn’t, but that didn’t mean he was going to be let off.

‘Perhaps a family member would like it?’

‘We’re not drinkers I’m afraid.’

‘Okay, I guess I’ll remember that for next time. Shall we?’

She nodded and followed him to the waiting jaguar. The driver hopped out and opened the door for them.

‘Is this
really necessary?’ she asked.

‘No, but I’m trying to impress you.’

‘It’s not working.’

‘I can tell.’ He jumped into the car beside her. ‘What would impress you?’ he had to ask, most women would be d
oing the splits for him by now.

‘That’s for you to find out. Why would I make it easy for you, and besides, you need to make up for the lie.’