“Did you dance?” There were other questions she wanted to ask. Did he kiss anyone, did he go home with anyone? But they weren’t for her to ask if he didn’t offer, and the way her chest was tight, she wasn’t sure she wanted that much detail.
He shook his head. “I’m not the dancing type. I sat at the bar, smiled at a few guys, drank three beers, then went home.”
“That’s not the whole story.”
“It is.”
She ignored the pulse of relief at the honest look of embarrassment on his face. That was her problem to sort out and move past. He needed to try again. “Brent.”
“I know.”
“You need to go back. I can’t offer to go with you, I’m not going to be your wing woman, but God damn, that’s sad.”
“I said I know! But I can’t tell anyone else about it.” He sighed. “And you saw Evan again?”
“But he wasn’t wearing the date cologne. Basically, we both struck out.”
As she said that, they arrived at the self-serve storage garage. He parked in front of her unit and she unlocked it.
It didn’t take them long to move the boxes inside, then she locked it up again. “Here’s hoping we’re back in a month to clear this out.”
“The house’ll sell quickly.”
“From your lips to God’s ears.”
He grinned confidently. “Get in. And drink your coffee before it gets cold.”
“Bossy,” she muttered.
“You like it,” he retorted.
More deja vu. It was freaking endless. And bittersweet. He used to say that all the time to her.
She was quiet on the drive back. When Brent parked in front of the house, she guarded herself from him to get out and invite himself in, but he didn’t. “I’ve got a thing in half an hour, so I better go.”
“A thing?”
“Uh…” He made a face. “Talking to someone. First appointment.”
“Yeah? Good for you.”
“Thanks.” He squeezed his hands on the steering wheel. “Listen, if Evan is sending you mixed messages, or cooling on you for his own reasons, that’s his loss.”
“I know. And it’s for the best. He’s complicated, too. And no offence, but I need my life to be simple for now.”
“None taken.” He hesitated like he was going to say something else.
She smiled. “Thanks for the help today.”
“Any time. For example, moving day in a month. That’s happening.”
She laughed. “Okay. I’ll see you then. Thanks.”
She reached for the door handle.
“Jess?”
She turned and looked at him. “Yeah?”
