The Right Choice?

Dale cornered Annalise, his eyes sparking with anger. “How could you?” His voice was like a dagger pressing against Annalise’s chest.

She pushed against the wall and gulped. “I didn’t have a choice.” Her voice whispered.

He pushed against her shoulders pinning her to the wall. “You-you-” He sputtered. His angry green eyes were staring right into her begging brown ones. Guilt rushed through his chest and he released her, stepping away.

Annalise took a step towards him. “I’m sorry.” Dale drew back, but Annalise kept going closer to him. “Dale, please.”

Dale stared at her, the anger slowly left his face, her gaze captivated him. Her voice sounded sweet and innocent. “It’s in the past.” She whispered stopping in front of him. “Just let it go.”

Dale scolded himself, he knew this woman. He knew her ways, her trickery. She had tricked him once, and he was a fool to fall for her. Yet, something about her made him want to go back to her. Annalise’s warm hand slipped into his, her brown eyes searched his face. “Please, Dale. It was in the past.”

His face warmed and he pulled his hand away from hers. “Anna, I can’t.” He pushed his hands into his pant’s pockets. “I can’t trust you after what you did.”

Annalise’s eyes watered, the tears sparkled in the light of the room. “You always said holding a grudge was a bad thing.” She took another step towards him. “Why won’t you forgive me? It was in the past!”

He drew in a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. “You know what you did, even if it was in the past.” He pulled away again and averted his eyes from her deep, searching gaze. “I can’t trust you. But I do forgive you.”

Annalise grabbed his hand and squeezed it, her eyes held a glint. “You forgive me?”

Dale sucked in a breath and squeezed her back slightly. “Yes.”

Her hand held tightly to his. “Then let’s be friends again. More than friends.” Her voice was confident, tempting, and smooth. Her eyes bore right into his.

Dale felt himself falling for her again, he shook himself. “I-I can’t.”

“But you said you forgive me!” Annalise squeaked.

Dale tried to pull his hand away but Annalise held him tighter. “I do, but I can’t trust you.” He pulled away, stretching their holding hands.

“Dale! Don’t let go!” She held her ground and tried to pull him back.

Silence enveloped the room. Dale could feel his heart beating furiously inside. Now, he had to make a choice. Stay with the girl he once thought was the love of his life, or break her heart and his by leaving her. He loosened his fingers around her hand, releasing his grasp while she still held tight.

“I have to.” He yanked away and rushed out the room, ignoring Annalise’s cries for him. Deep inside he was mad for letting the one girl, he loved and knew, go. Yet, another part of him was relieved he made the right choice, at least, he was sure he did.