“Your father. Right.”
“Yeah. My father.”
Starting up my car, I merge into the line of traffic leaving the school parking lot. “Did I tell you I like your car?”
At least she’s talking to me.
“I do too.” I chuckle, doing my best to talk about something else. “It’s a gas guzzler, though.”
“I bet.”
“My dream is to get an old convertible Mustang. Like a ’65 and fix it up.”
“Wow, those are cool cars. Why haven’t you done that?”
“Work.” I don’t know what else to say. It’s the truth.
“Right.” She nods. “I get that.” She pauses. “What did you say you do again?”
“I didn’t.”
“Right.” I glance over at her as she nods. “Right.”
I reach out my hand in the hopes she takes hold. She does. I squeeze her hand. “I’ve had a great time. You’re…”
“A delight?”
I chuckle. “You’re definitely a delight.”
“I know.” She sighs. “Everyone says so.”
She makes me laugh. I mean, I’ve laughed more this week than I have in years. That’s something. She’s also the best I’ve ever had. That’s something else. But it’s never going to happen between us, so I might as well accept it. Besides, it’s better to leave now before any feelings get involved. I don’t want to hurt her, and from her reaction just now, that’s exactly what would happen if I stayed any longer.
Besides, my job calls.
It’s time to go.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
LOU
“Come on,Lou Lou. You’ve got to eat something.”
“I’m not hungry.” I’m not. And, yes, I know why that is. He’s been gone five days, and since then, food just isn’t for me.
“Please?” Bella’s got one of her Lou Lou’s pecan things hovering in front of my face. Hell, she even came out to the Little house to feed me.
“Shouldn’t you be at your store?” It’s the middle of the day on a Friday, one of her busiest days.
“I’ve got it covered. Charlotte’s there. Don’t worry.” She sighs. “Look. I know this is over what’s-his-name but there’s no dick in the world worth turning down one of these little babies.” She wiggles the treat again. It does smell good.
“I’m just not hungry. Leave it here. I’ll eat it later.” I haven’t been hungry since Chase kissed me goodbye at my truck. And now that she’s here pressing the issue, maybe it’s time I accept the fact that him leaving hurt more than I was willing to admit. That I had real feelings for the jerk, and I thought he had feelings for me, but that was just an illusion, because he kissed me goodbye, turned, and strode into the bed-and-breakfast without looking back. Not once. And I know this because my eyes never left the back of him. Not until the B and B’s front door shut. And even then, I watched, thinking that there was a chance he’d change his mind and come back out, saying something like, “Just kidding. I can’t leave the love of my life….”
Ha. That’s a joke.
“Liar.”
I shake off my maudlin thoughts and address her accusation with as much gusto as I can muster. “I’m not lying. I’ll eat it.” Eventually.
