I tell Charlotte we need to finish our dinner. We say goodbye to the seemingly happy couple and head to our booth. Charlotte is chatting away about painting and what she wants to wear. All I can do is think about asking Mallory to stay. She’s not working, she’s not close with her family, she could move to a new country. People move for love. It’s in all the movies.
How in the world did I fall in love in less than a week?
You’ve done it before, just with the wrong person.
The little voice in my head quips. And when I look at Char’s happy face, I realize I can’t risk her happiness on a chance that Mallory may consider relocating her entire life. Charlotte comes first, no matter what.
No matter that my heart aches at the thought of doing nothing. Of letting Mallory slip away back to her life in Canada. Or worse, finding a Mr. Right, that perfectly fits into her life as is. That doesn’t come with massive baggage and a child in tow.
She deserves the best. And that’s not me.
Not right now anyways.
Chapter 9
Mallory
My red dressis stained with wine, luckily it happens to be a close shade of red. Another date ruined by my clumsy hands. Though, to be fair, Jake and Charlotte surprised me. I didn’t expect to react that way, as if I had been doing something wrong and had been caught.
I drop my dress off at the dry cleaners on Main Street before I head to the first activity of my day, glass blowing. I’m nervous. My stomach feels like I ate a bunch of cement. But I can’t tell if it’s my nerves about attempting a brand-new artsy activity or about seeing Jake. My pocket buzzes and I pull out my phone. I had filled in Lucy and Selena the day after I slept with Jake. They tried to help me with how to move forward.
A guy tells you he’s falling for you, but those words carry more weight when he has a child and a life built here. You can’t rip a kid from their home and move them to Canada. So I went with the best choice, I chose to do nothing.
Lucy: Are you going out with the boring tax guy again?
Selena: Yeah, what about that hot single dad you already slept with? Maybe spend more time with him…in bed.
Mallory: Todd works in finance. He’s not an accountant…I think. He was dull. All I can think about is Jake.
Lucy: Why don’t you stay in Montana longer? See what happens. If you’re not working you don’t need a VISA. We can water your plants.
Selena: Risk it for love, Babe!
Mallory: He has a kid. What if it didn’t work out?
Selena: What if it does?
Lucy: High risk, high reward.
Mallory: You two are not helping. I’m not moving to Montana. I don’t have a job and I just found an apartment. My life is still a mess. I can’t just join Jake here. Like we’re some sort of impromptu family.
Selena: Loverboy probably wouldn’t mind if you just moved in.
Lucy: You know all those big burly alpha men are secretly saps underneath the muscle. I bet he’s head over heels.
Selena: Because you’re fantastic. And worth the risk.
Mallory: I’m late for glass blowing. GTG
Lucy: Bet you wish you were blowing him *winky face*
Selena: Yeah, she does!
I chuckle and tuck my phone away. I should’ve before they replied, but I’m glad I read the last two texts. Friends are there for you through thick and thin. Through sixty-hour work weeks, apartment hunting in the snow, and even driving you to the airport for a flight at five in the morning. How could I leave them behind?
Glass blowing turns out to be more of a demonstration than a participation event. We don’t get to do much. But I do chat with a few other singles who traveled here for the festival. Talking to them makes me a little more excited for the big finale ball on Valentine’s Day this Friday. Just a couple more days to try and test the waters and see who I’m compatible with to try another first date.
Are they always so awkward? Tod and I had nothing major in common.
