“The airman. Jade’s older brother?”
“Oh. Okay. And what did he say?”
“He mentioned something about making a move. And I realized that while he was breaking your rules, so was I.”
I stared. “What do you mean?” It was easier to play stupid than to try to figure out what the men were up to in their games anymore.
“I never made a move. I mean, I tried to. I tried to find excuses to spend more time with you, but he was right. I never actually asked you out or told you how I feel.”
I sighed. “Sam—”
“Just hear me out. I know you’re not over him yet…”
Was my personal life on display for everyone these days?
“…not wanting to go too fast for you. I just…so I was hoping we could go out and get drinks. Just you and me.”
I studied him as he bit his lip, studying me back. Did I want to go out with Sam Newman? No, not really. What I really wanted was a handsome airman who took me to balls and brought me out to sightsee on bridges that were lit up in the night. If I was honest, I wanted Derrick. Badly.
But Derrick was gone, literally and figuratively, and after our parting words, I had little doubt we would never talk again if it was possible. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I didn’t have to fall head over heels for Sam Newman. Getting out, though, might feel good. A much-needed distraction from the circles that had been looping in my head. Who knew? Sam fit the list now. He checked every little box on my list neatly and even threw a few more into the loop I hadn’t required. Not only did he respect what I did and support my future plans, but he already had his master’s degree, and he was working on his doctorate. He was good, and he was safe.
“Fine,” I said, chuckling a little. “Just promise me two things.”
His face was already too bright for my taste, but he restrained himself quickly and nodded. “Sure. What are they?”
I gave him a wry smile. “First of all, don’t propose to me on said date?”
He gave me a funny look, but to his credit, he didn’t laugh.
“Sure thing. Is that a new rule now? No proposing on the first date?”
“From now on it is. And second?”
He stared at me. “Yes?”
I took a deep breath. Was I ready to do this? No. I wasn’t. But that was exactly why I was asking.
“I like you, Sam. And I want to try. I really do.”
He beamed, and I held up a finger. “But I need some time.”
His face fell slightly. “Oh. Okay, um. How much?”
“October.” I smiled. “Give me time to bury myself in work and the kids and to not…to not think about this summer quite so much. And once my mind is clearer, you and I can give this a go.”
The shine had left his eyes, but he nodded. “I understand.” Then his smile widened slightly once more. “And don’t forget to finish the paperwork for the college. The world awaits the debut of Jessie Nickleby, speech therapist of the year.”
I grabbed a stapler and stack of “Welcome back” posters. “Yeah. That, too.”
38
Another Cup
Jessie
Iplayed with my coffee cup, tracing the geometric patterns in the coffee sleeve as I waited at an outdoor table connected to the little coffee house Sam and I were supposed to meet at. It was cool, and the leaves were lovely shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown. A month and a half had passed, and now that the newness of school was wearing off, it was the night of my first date with Sam.
And I was optimistic. Because no matter how many clean-shaven men in uniform had passed through my classroom doors, dropping their kids off and picking them up, I wasn’t thinking about airmen. And when Jade’s new nanny brought her to school for the first time, I was too busy getting to know her to think about how much her big brother probably hated the situation. I wasn’t thinking about how much fun it would have been to wear that sparkly rose ring and to know that every time I looked at it, it was kind of like looking at him.
