I didn't want to recall our time together.Nothing good could come from it."I guess not."
He smiled."We were in our own world."
"Aren't teens inherently selfish?"I thought we'd be together forever.I didn't think about all the ways things could go wrong.
"I certainly was."
Was that part of his admission that he hadn't handled things well?"I guess it's easy to focus on yourself at that age.You have all these decisions to make about your future.What do you want to do?Who do you want to be?"
His forehead creased."I was so focused on work; I had tunnel vision.I'm not proud of it."
"You don't need to apologize to me again."
He winced."I abandoned you, my family.I was happy to lose myself in something bigger.I had a mission, and I was happy to execute it.It was easy to forget about everything at home."
"I'm sure your family understood."
"That's why I left the military when I did.I didn't want to retire at twenty years with nothing to show for it.My brothers started the business without me, and I felt like I was left out.I wanted to be part of my family again."
I smiled."I'm sure they're happy to have you home."
Our food came, and when the server left, he said, "Mom wants me to invite you over for dinner."
My mouth opened and closed.I adored his parents, but could I handle a family meal when we weren't together anymore?
"You can say no.I'll tell her you're busy."
This was my chance to prove I could be around Ford, and it didn't affect me."No.It's fine.I'd love to come."
He arched a brow."Are you sure?"
"I'd love to see your family.Aspen's more than an employee; she's a friend."
He nodded."You have your meeting tonight, but what about next Sunday?"
I smiled."Please ask your mother what I can bring."
He popped a piece of sausage in his mouth."I know what she'll say.Bring yourself."
I cut my French toast."Your mother is great."
He picked up his fork."Yeah, she is."
I leaned back in the booth."I'm going to want to take a nap after all this sugar."
"Do you have to work today?"
"We need to plan the town hall meeting.”
"I'm sure you’ll do great," he said with a smile.
I was feeling more confident about a lot of things.I'd spent a morning with Ford, and it was fine.I wasn't obsessing over his muscles, all the ways he was different now than he was back then, or even his concern for his sister.
The more I spent time with him, the easier it would get.It was like ripping off a Band-Aid.
Chapter8
Ford
