“I trust you, but… ouch on how she treated you. Why not say she wasn’t ready when you proposed?”
Greta’s tone turned wry. “Sheasked to move in. Her lease was up, and I had bought a great apartment.Shesuggested marriage. That was all her idea, but when things didn’t work, she had to believe thatIwas the one who was wrong. She needed to blame someone. I understand that now. For a long time, I thought I misunderstood, but I think it was more a case of neither of us being ready. And sometimes when people are in pain, they hurt others. Maybe your mother is hurting, too, and that’s why she wrote to you.”
“Maybe.” Kaelee looked away, watching for the server to bring the check. “But that doesn’t change what happened to me because she let him hand me over to Kyle.”
“It doesn’t.” Greta sighed. “That’s the part of dating that messes me up. We all come with baggage of some sort. Who wants to unpack it in front of someone you’re trying to impress?”
Kaelee gave her a slow, lingering once-over. “You impress me. That baggage you have doesn’t get in my way.”
“Same.” Greta smiled. “I like the way we have been here on the trip. I feel… connected with you.”
With an abrupt gesture, Kaelee finally caught the eye of one of the waitstaff and handed him a credit card. “We are running late. Can we get the bill?”
The man left to retrieve the slip, and Greta said, “Late for what?”
“My plan.” Kaelee debated canceling. She’d already prepaid, but her date plans really felt foolishly romantic.We are friends who are casually dating.Kaelee summoned a ride on one of her apps and then looked at Greta. “I made an appointment for us. You can cancel if you want.”
“I trust you.”
“I was looking at things to do that weren’t bars, meals, and movies,” Kaelee started. “Something you might like.”
“I liked the walking tour yesterday. The museums. All of it.”
“Sure, but… this weekend has meant a lot. I was panicking,and you were right here with me. You made me relax and have time to think of plans. I want you to know I appreciate it.” Kaelee took Greta’s hand in hers. “I want you to know that I appreciateyou.”
“I do know that.”
“Okay, so—” Kaelee paused and signed the bill.
She pocketed her card and stood. She might not have liked most of what she had learned in her childhood, but because of it, she knew how a person was to treat a lady. The difference, of course, was that her grandfather did that when no one was watchingandin public. Kaelee stepped up to Greta’s chair and held a hand out as she stood, steadying her on the dagger points of her high-heeled shoes.
She helped her into her coat, and then she led her to the now-waiting car and opened the door.
“This is all very mysterious,” Greta murmured.
Kaelee got in and took her hand. “We can leave if you hate it.”
“Is it scandalous?”
A laugh burst out. “Not tonight. If you want me to book us something scandalous another night, I can. This is more… romantic, I think.”
Greta nestled closer in the back of the car. “I like that, too. Honestly, I’d try anything with you. Indoor skydiving, horseback rides, strip clubs, couple’s pottery classes, paint and sip, experimental theatre productions, festivals… You name it, I’ll consider it.”
Kaelee squeezed Greta’s knee fondly. With Greta, any and all of that and more things on top of it sounded good. For now, she’d focus on tonight’s plan. “Pick one for our next weekend getaway.”
“Really?”
“I chose for tonight,” Kaelee said, ignoring the flare of panic at making plans beyond this trip. She wasn’t sure how much time they had before her life imploded—and hoping for weekends away with Greta made her hope that maybe they wouldn’t end at all. Maybe Greta was right, and there was a way to stop her father’s bullshit before it ruined everything.
What could he really even do?
When the driver pulled up at the little dance studio, Greta looked at Kaelee in surprise. “Really?”
“I thought it was different. Memorable and—” Her words were lost under a kiss as Greta grabbed her face and pulled her in closer.
The gleeful look on Greta’s face when she released Kaelee was enough to sweep away any lingering doubts. They got out, and for a moment, they stood in the cold parking lot. Then Greta looked at her with such raw affection that Kaelee couldn’t deny that they were already deep into the land of actual feelings.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this!”
