With her expression set in grim determination, Jamie didn't need to think hard to know what she was going to talk about. A hint of resignation flickered in his eyes. He nodded slightly. "Alright, but you haven't eaten yet, right? How about we talk over dinner? What would you like?"
Sara hadn't planned to confess her deception right outside his office, and having not eaten all day, she was indeed hungry. She nodded. "Anything... Oh, let's have barbecue!"
In her world, there's no problem that a barbecue can't solve. If there is, then just have two.
Although Jamie might not think this way, people are pretty much the same. Have some barbecue, drink a bit, and when you're a little tipsy, confess everything and play the sympathy card. Who knows, it might just blow over.
"Perfect, there's a good restaurant right below my apartment," Jamie said, looking at her. "I need to grab something from upstairs. Do you want to come up with me or wait here?"
Sara quickly replied, "I'll wait here for you."
If she followed him, he'd definitely introduce her to his colleagues. Then, by the evening, the truth would come out, and that would be a total disaster. She didn't want to make her apology mission any harder.
Jamie didn't insist. He gave her a few instructions and went upstairs. After borrowing an electric bike from a coworker and give him some money, Jamie rushed back down.
Sara stood at the door, looking fresh and lovely in her light green tracksuit, muttering to herself in front of the glass wall.
He quietly approached, hearing, "I didn't mean to deceive you. I was just afraid you'd get mad, so..."
Alright, now he was certain why she was here.
Jamie found it both amusing and irritating. He had been working nonstop this past week just to make time to see her, only to find out she was planning to break up. He also found it funny...
Where did she get the confidence to think she could break up with him successfully?
He silently retreated a few steps and then cleared his throat to announce his presence. "Let's go."
Sara turned, relieved to see he was far enough away to not have heard her confession. "Okay."
The ride to Jamie's apartment complex was uneventful this time, stopping at a barbecue place near the entrance.
Sitting inside, the enticing aroma made Sara's stomach growl audibly. Jamie noticed and called the waiter to order.
"Two more beers!" Sara said, meeting Jamie's gaze with a forced smile. "Barbecue just tastes better with some beer."
Jamie gave her a knowing look, then handed the menu back to the waiter. "Two beers, please."
The food took a while, but a small bowl of wontons arrived first. Jamie pushed it towards Sara. "Eat something to hold you over."
Sara felt even more conflicted. How could she deceive such a good person? She resolved to sincerely apologize and beg for his forgiveness later.
But she still needed to get him to drink. "Guys are always more agreeable after a few drinks. At least my dad was like that—things he wouldn't normally agree to, he'd say yes to after a couple of beers," she thought.
She watched Jamie's beer glass closely, topping it up as soon as it was nearly empty, while barely touching her own. She smiled and encouraged him, "Drink up, this barbecue is really good."
Jamie seemed unaware of her plan, downing beer after beer until the bottles were empty. As Sara raised her hand to call for more, Jamie suddenly grabbed it.
"Sara, my head feels so dizzy," he said, his face tinged with a faint blush, his eyes hazy with drunkenness. His words slurred as he looked at her. "Can you take me home?"
