My hands curl into fists on my lap. “What happened?”
“I’ve already said too much.” Ryan’s voice is firm but not unkind. “You need to talk to her, Jake. Ask her yourself.”
“And if she won’t tell me?”
“Then give her time.” He looks at me directly. “And give her space to get there on her own terms. She’ll come around. She just needs to feel safe first.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“She will. I’ve seen the way she looks at you when she doesn’t think anyone’s watching,” he says.
After Ryan leaves, Wyatt whistles low. “That’s new news.”
“Yeah.”
“And you didn’t know?”
“We haven’t really talked about our past.” I stare at my phone again. “I haven’t even told her the full story about Lauren. I figured she probably knew from the gossip around town.”
“Maybe you should tell her. Open up first. Show her it’s safe.”
“Maybe.”
But even as I say it, I’m not sure it’ll make a difference. Because the problem isn’t that we don’t knoweach other’s pasts. The problem is it feels like she’s decided she doesn’t want a future. At least not with me.
When Wyatt leaves I grab my phone and decide to make the first move.
Jake
Can we talk? Maybe I can come by tonight?
It takes a minute for her to reply.
Natalie
I can’t tonight. Meeting my writers’ group. But I promise we’ll spend time together this weekend.
Jake
Okay. Let me know when works for you.
Natalie
I will. Thanks for understanding.
I turn back to my computer, to the contract I’m supposed to be reviewing, and try not to think about how Natalie was engaged once. How someone else had her heart and broke it so badly she’s still protecting the pieces.
And how I’m falling for a woman who’s seemingly convinced herself she doesn’t need anyone.
Including me.
twenty-four
. . .
Natalie
Jonah’s apartmentdoor swings open before I can knock twice.
