“Jeez, Chloe.” He dropped his head back. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that my parents never recovered from losing Leo. They were always gone, always working. When we were in the same room, it was stiflingly silent. I needed attention, and I sought it in the worst way. I know what I did was wrong, and I repaid the store owner what I thought was the total for what I’d taken over time. I broke up with Steve and went back to therapy. I begged my parents to go, to find their own or come to mine. They refused.”
“It makes so much sense when you explain it fully.”
“They don’t have a good marriage, but they don’t want to get a divorce. They simply exist in the same house when they aren’t working. One of the things I had to do for my own mental health was get a place of my own. It made a massive difference in my life.”
He thought for a few moments about a young woman trapped in a house with parents so lost in grief they ignored each other and their only surviving child. “It explains why I’ve never seen your mother and father together.”
“They need help, but they won’t listen to me.” Chloe groaned. “This conversation wasn’t a very good way to seduce you.”
“Uh, well, we’re getting to know each other.” He hadn't thought about being seduced. Was that something she’d been trying to do?
“I’m mostly teasing, Devon. I wouldn't expect anything like phone sex when we haven’t officially had a date yet.”
“S-speaking of which,” he stammered, his face flaming. “I want to ask if you’re interested in going somewhere together on Saturday. Just you and me.”
“Now that’s a plan I can get behind.” He heard the grin in her voice. “What did you have in mind?”
“I haven't dated since the drive-in was open. What do you want to do?”
“Hmm. Something easy like a movie? Even if it has to be at the Cineplex.”
Devon thought about it. “It might sound cheesy, but do you like to roller skate?”
“Won’t Hailey be mad you went without her?”
He chuckled. “She doesn’t like roller skating.”
“Oh,” she laughed. “Then it sounds like a date.”
“Yeah . . . a date.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
It wasn't so much nerveshe felt about going out with Chloe as it was excitement. He needed to get out, to do something for himself. He felt as if he’d turned a page, that he could be happy and not second guess his feelings.
