Overwhelmed in agoodway.
I step off to the side in a small corridor in the hallway and pull my phone from my pocket, where I call Penny. I bring the phone to my ear, and she answers on the second ring.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I have like five minutes,” I say quickly. “I’m out on a date with Halsey right now, and he told me that you were in on the whole plan to get me to like him.”
“Uhh . . . he did?” she asks, sounding nervous.
“I’m not mad. I actually think it’s cute that he was looking for help. Anyway, he took me to Granville Island for our date. We took the aquabus to get here, and we’re eating at the Sandbar. I need to know if you had any input on this date or if this was all him.”
“Okay, that’s a lot of information. I didn’t even know he was going out with you. I know Eli mentioned something about Halsey cutting everyone off from the details between you two because he was sick of all the input.”
“So this was all his idea?”
“Seems like it. Are you having fun?”
“Penny,” I say, swallowing hard.
“Yes?” she asks.
“I really like him. Like, I’m so overwhelmed with how much I like him that I had to take a step back. Right now, he’s acting like the man I first started living with. It feels effortless being near him now that the awkwardness has faded and we started talking again. It’s kind of scary how much I like him, and I needed to call you because I didn’t want to freak out. This is too soon, right? I’m having feelings for a man, and it’s too soon. I shouldn’t have these strong feelings for someone else when I just got out of a long relationship.”
“Yes, you did just get out of a long relationship. But I also think that if you and Perry had still been in love with each other—actively dating each other—then the breakup would have shattered you. I wonder if your relationship had already fizzled out by the time you ‘broke up’. It may be that Halsey came into your life at just the right time. Exactly when youwereready for someone new.”Hmmm. I hadn’t thought about it like that. “You need to listen to your heart and follow that, not what people might think. If you like him, then you like him. Plain and simple. And take it from someone who waited a long time to be with the person they wanted to be with. If you like him, just accept it.” Imull that over and then quietly say, “He likes me, Penny. He’s liked me for a long time.”
“We know. We’ve known. It’s been torture for him. I don’t think he’s going anywhere. He’s set in what he wants, and what he wants is you, so . . . enjoy this time. Get to know him. I think this could be something special between you two.”
“You do?” I ask.
“I do. He’s a good guy. And I know you’re nervous about who he really is. I’d just keep asking him questions, keep pulling him out of his shell. I will say this, and so will the boys, we have never seen him so lively. He’s changed since he’s met you, and he’s changed a lot since you broke up with Perry.”
“Yeah, I know.” I take a deep breath. “Okay. Thanks, Penny.”
“You’re welcome. Now go have fun. Don’t overthink it.”
“I won’t.”
I hang up the phone and stuff it back into my pocket before I head back to the table where Halsey sits, staring out the window. He isn’t looking at his phone or trying to distract himself while I’m gone. Instead, he’s enjoying the scenery while sipping some water.
Just makes me like him that much more. He’s connected to the moment, not trying to distract himself with the outside world.
I walk up to the table, place my hand on his back, and rub it before taking a seat.
“Hey,” he says, his eyes lighting up when he sees me.
How could I not have seen this before? The way he looks at me when I walk into a room. The subtle bounce of his Adam’s apple. The shift in his posture or the soft acknowledgement in his voice.
It’s been right in front of me this entire time, and I’ve been so blind not to notice. Here I thought that he was out of my league, when he’s been inviting me into his world for a long time now.
“This is so beautiful,” I say as I look out over the water.
“I’m glad you like it,” he replies.
I look across the table at him and notice how his eyes are set on me, his interest pulled toward me. Even his body language is directed at me.
“I’m sorry,” I say before I can stop myself.
His brow cinches together. “Sorry for what?” he asks.
